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'  I  i  ,  ::  •.-: 


A  MEMORIAL 


OF  THE 


SEMI-CENTENARY  CELEBRATION 


OP  THE 


FOUNDING 


OF  THE 


THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTE 


OF   CONNECTICUT. 


HARTFORD,  CONN.: 
PRESS  OF  THE  CASE,  LOCKWOOD  &  BRAINARD  COMPANY. 

1884. 


W 


3 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Pastoral  Union  of  Connecti- 
cut, in  the  Chapel  of  Hosmer  Hall,  Hartford,  May  8,  1884, 
Rev.  Graham  Taylor,  Rev.  John  H.  Goodell,  and  J.  M. 
Allen,  Esq.,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  publish  at  their 
discretion  the  proceedings  of  the  semi-centennial  celebration 
of  the  Theological  Institute  of  Connecticut. 

Congratulating  the  officers  and  students,  the  graduates  and 
friends  of  the  Institute  upon  the  record  of  its  past  history, 
the  substantial  and  invaluable  attainments  of  the  present, 
and  the  still  brighter  prospects  of  growing  power  and  useful- 
ness in  the  future,  the  Committee  present  as  a  fitting  Memo- 
rial of  the  Semi-Centennial  Anniversary, 

I.  A  brief  account  of  the  gbservance  of  the  occasion. 

II.  The  papers,  addresses,  and   letters  prepared  for  the 
celebration  abridged  in  accordance  with  the  design  of  this 
publication. 

III.  An  appendix  containing  reports  of  the  past  year's 
work,  an  account  of  the  closing  exercises  with  the  address  of 
Professor  Riddle  to  the  Graduating  Class. 


THE  SEMI-CENTENNIAL  ANNIVERSARY. 


In  May  1883,  a  committee  representing  the  Pastoral 
Union,  Trustees,  Faculty,  and  Alumni,  was  appointed  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  celebration  of  the  semi-centennial 
anniversary  of  the  Institute.  At  an  early  day,  all  who  had 
been  students  of  the  Seminary,  and  the  members  of  the  Pas- 
toral Union,  received  a  cordial  invitation  to  participate  in  the 
memorial  observance  on.  Wednesday,  May  7,  1884:.  Special 
invitations  were  also  extended  to  many  residents  of  Hartford, 
and  notices  of  the  services  were  published  in  the  local  news- 
papers. 

Returning  alumni  and  invited  guests  were  welcomed  to 
the  generous  hospitality  of  the  homes  of  the  many  friends  of 
the  Seminary  in  the  city. 

From  a  wider  extent  of  territory  than  was  ever  before 
represented  on  any  occasion  in  the  history  of  the  Institute,  its 
graduates  and  friends  gathered  in  numbers  that  did  honor  to 
the  commemoration,  and  betokened  their  loyalty  to  its  past 
and  future. 

Assurances  of  warm  interest  in  the  Institution  and  its 
jubilee  were  received  from  foreign  and  home  missionaries 
and  pastors,  unable  to  be  present. 

The  weather  all  through  the  anniversary  days  was 
unpropitious.  A  cold  northeast  storm  prevailed;  but  the 
attendance  at  the  business  meeting  of  the  Alumni  Associa- 
tion, at  an  early  hour  on  Wednesday,  was  large.  Rev.  Dr. 
A.  C.  Thompson  was  chosen  president,  Rev.  S.  B.  Forbes  of 
Rockville,  Conn.,  vice-president,  with  Rev.  Gr.  W.  Winch  of 
Enfield,  secretary  for  three  years.  Appropriate  mention  was 
made  of  the  death  of  Rev.  M.  S.  Goodale,  D.D.,  of  Amster- 


6 

dam,  "N.  Y.,  of  the  class  of  '36,  the  first  that  graduated  from 
the  Seminary,  and  who  was  to  have  given  a  paper  on  Dr. 
Nettleton  on  this  occasion,  also  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Howe, 
class  of  '41,  of  Linebrook,  Ipswich,  Mass. 

The  Chapel  of  Hosmer  Hall,  and  one  of  the  adjoining  rooms, 
were  filled  at  the  opening  of  the  commemorative  exercises, 
by  the  large  audience,  which,  besides  the  guests  from  abroad, 
included  many  friends  from  the  city. 

At  ten  o'clock  Rev.  S.  B.  Forbes,  vice-president  of  the 
Alumni  Association,  took  the  chair,  and  called  upon  Rev. 
Dr.  Laurie  of  Providence,  to  offer  prayer.  Rev.  Lyman 
Whiting,  D.D.,  read  the  Scriptures,  and  after  singing,  Mr. 
Rowland  Swift,  in  behalf  of  the  Trustees  and  the  citizens  of 
Hartford,  delivered  a  most  felicitous  and  hearty  address  of 
welcome. 

Rev.  Professor  William  Thompson,  the  venerable  Dean 
of  the  Faculty,  then  delivered  the  Historical  Discourse, 
reviewing,  as  only  an  eye-witness  could,  the  life  and  work  of 
the  Institute  during  the  half-century  of  its  existence,  and  of 
his  own  life-work  in  its  service. 

Rev.  Lavalette  Perrin,  D.D.,  followed  with  a  paper  on 
Dr.  Bennet  Tyler,  the  Seminary's  only  "President"  and  first 
Professor  of  Theology. 

The  close  and  vital  "  Relation  of  the  Seminary  to  the  Cause 
of  Foreign  Missions,"  was  thoroughly  and  interestingly  devel- 
oped by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  C.  Thompson  of  Boston. 

The  hour  for  recess  having  arrived,  it  was  necessary  to  omit 
the  reading  of  Rev.  Dr.  H.  M.  Parsons'  tribute  to  the  ever- 
blessed  memory  of  Rev.  Asahel  Nettleton,  D.D.,  whose 
character  and  work  are  sacredly  cherished  among  the  suc- 
cessive generations  of  students  as  a  most  precious  inherit- 
ance of  the  past,  and  a  bright  goal  of  their  high  calling. 

The  intermission  afforded  a  pleasant  opportunity  for  the 
social  reunion  and  intercourse  of  the  large  company  present. 
The  main  hall  and  its  adjoining  rooms  were  thronged  with 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  many  of  the  latter  meeting,  after  long 
separation,  as  old  friends  and  fellow-students. 

At  1  o'clock  two  hundred  and  fifty  guests  were  seated  in 


the  music  room,  and  two  adjoining  class-rooms,  where  an 
ample  collation  was  handsomely  served,  after  the  blessing  had 
been  asked  by  President  Noah  Porter  of  Yale  College. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Prudential  Committee,  Mr.  George 
Kellogg,  and  the  many  ladies  who  so  kindly  assisted  his  efforts, 
all  were  indebted  for  the  very  thoughtful  and  complete  provi- 
sion for  their  comfort  and  enjoyment. 

The  chapel  was  again  well  filled  by  those  who  reassembled 
to  enjoy  the  exercises  of  the  afternoon,  which  were  happily 
conducted  by  Professor  Lewellyn  Pratt,  in  place  0of  Rev. 
Dr.  Henry  M.  Field,  who  had  accepted  the  invitation  to  pre- 
side, but  was  unable  to  be  present. 

The  paper  presented  by  Rev.  John  H.  Goodell  of  Windsor 
Locks,  on  "  The  Biblical  Teaching  of  the  Seminary — its  Dis- 
tinctive Feature,"  was  listened  to  with  marked  interest  as  a 
contribution  of  permanent  value  to  the  Institution. 

From  a  large  number  of  letters  received  by  the  committee 
from  the  alumni  and  other  friends,  Rev.  W.  S.  Hawkes  of 
South  Hadley  Falls,  Mass.,  read  carefully  selected  and  copious 
extracts,  which  were  heard  with  evident  pleasure  by  all,  and 
with  personal  interest  by  many.  These  reminiscences  pre- 
sented a  varied  and  graphic  picture  of  the  successive  periods 
of  seminary  life,  as  seen  from  within,  which  will  be  treasured 
in  printed  form  by  many  more  than  those  who  heard  their 
recital. 

"  Several  carefully  prepared  impromptu  addresses  "  were 
then  announced  by  the  chairman. 

The  first  to  respond  was  Rev.  Dr.  Gushing  Eells  of  the 
class  of  '37,  who  told  the  thrilling  story  of  his  missionary 
life  and  labors  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Territories  during 
the  past  forty-five  years  of  service.  In  his  allusion  to  his  inti- 
mate relation  with  the  martyred  Dr.  Whitman,  in  the  early 
history  of  the  great  Northwest,  he  became  truly  "  the  old  man 
eloquent."  Upon  his  retirement,  the  fact  was  related  that 
while  thus  engaged  in  missionary  work  amid  the  hardships  of 
frontier  life,  he  and  his  wife  had  earned  and  given  to  the  cause 
of  Christian  education  over  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

Rev.   Francis  Williams   of  the  class   of  '41,   spoke  face- 


8 

tiously  of  the  social  life  at  East  Windsor  Hill  when  he  was  a 
student  there. 

President  Porter  of  Yale  presented  the  salutations  of  that 
sister  seminary,  with  many  bright  and  interesting  allusions  to 
the  past  and  present  relations  between  the  two  institutions. 

Rev.  Graham  Taylor  of  Hartford,  referred  to  the  indebted- 
ness of  the  city  pastors  for  the  library  privileges  so  freely 
granted  them  at  Hosmer  Hall.  He  alluded  to  the  deep  obli- 
gation felt  by  many  of  the  city  churches  for  the  valuable 
assistance  rendered  by  the  students  in  their  Sunday-schools 
and  prayer-meetings.  The  appreciation  of  their  presence  and 
services  by  people  and  pastors  is  very  apparent  each  year,  in 
the  many  ways  in  which,  he  assured  them,  their  absence  is 
felt.  On  behalf  of  the  "  Pastors'  Mission/'  he  thanked  the 
students,  especially  for  the  noble  response  they  had  made  to 
the  appeal  for  their  aid  in  conducting  evangelistic  services  in 
the  most  destitute  parts  of  the  city.  Nearly  all  of  them  had 
volunteered  service.  The  unfailing  regularity  with  which 
they  had  met  their  appointments,  and  the  spirit  and  effi- 
ciency with  which  they  had  done  "  the  work  of  an  evange- 
list," not  only  in  the  services,  but  in  thoroughly  canvass- 
ing whole  sections  of  the  city,  and  in  calling  as  opportu- 
nity invited  from  house  to  house,  deserved  a  public  recognition 
as  hearty  as  the  personal  appreciation  it  had  received  from 
all  directly  associated  with  them  in  the  work. 

The  varied  programme  of  the  afternoon  was  brought  to  a 
close  by  the  reading  of  a  poem  entitled  "  The  Survival  of  the 
Axe,"  prepared  for  the  occasion  by  Rev.  Theron  Brown, 
of  the  class  of  1859,  a  Baptist  clergyman  of  Norwood,  Mass. 
The  play  of  its  feeling,  humorous  and  earnest,  met  with  appre- 
ciative response  from  his  amused  and  interested  auditors. 

The  commemorative  services  of  the  day  were  fittingly  closed 
with  the  concert  of  the  "  Hosmer  Hall  Choral  Union,"  in  the 
Asylum  Hill  Congregational  Church,  in  the  evening,  under 
the  direction  of  Associate-Professor  "Waldo  S.  Pratt,  with  a 
chorus  numbering  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  voices, 
including  almost  all  the  seminary  students,  and  with  the 


assistance  of  soloists  and  orchestra  from  abroad,  the  Union 
rendered  Handel's  Oratorio,  "  The  Messiah." 

The  audience  completely  filled  the  spacious  edifice,  and 
included  the  alumni  and  guests  of  the  Seminary,  to  all  whom 
complimentary  admission  was  tendered  by  the  generosity  of 
the  Trustees.  The  public  indebtedness  to  the  Seminary  for 
the  eminent  character  of  the  performance  was  well  expressed 
in  the  following  hearty  recognition  by  the  Hartford 
"Courant": 

"  It  is  so  long  since  the  Messiah  was  given  in  this  city  that 
the  public  owes  a  debt  to  the  Choral  Union  for  giving  it,  and 
a  double  debt  for  giving  it  so  well  as  was  done  last  evening. 
Some  of  the  obligation  must  extend  over  to  the  Theological 
Seminary,  since  it  is  largely  through  it  that  the  performance 
became  possible.  It  not  only  furnishes  a  considerable  share 
of  the  singers,  but  has  given  place  for  rehearsal,  furnished  the 
director,  and  done  very  much  more,  directly  and  indirectly, 
to  wards,  developing  and  strengthening  the  Union.  Without 
the  Seminary  it  would  hardly  have  come  into  existence,  and 
certainly  would  not  have  had  so  good  an  opportunity  for 
development  into  an  enthusiastic  society  with  a  high  aim  and 
a  better  conception  of  the  purpose  of  music  of  the  highest 
order  than  has  yet  existed  here.  Each  of  the  performances 
given  since  the  initial  one  has  shown  a  marked  advance,  and 
this  last  was  no  exception  to  the  established  rule. 

"  When  from  a  body  chosen  mainly  out  of  those  who  have 
an  enthusiasm  for  study  arid  practice,  such  admirable  results 
can  come,  as  were  produced  last  evening,  it  evidences  very 
remarkable  ability  on  the  part  of  the  instructor.  Those  who 
have  often  heard  the  Messiah,  and  compare  the  rendering  of 
the  choruses  last  evening  with  those  of  the  Handel  and  Haydn 
Society  of  Boston,  the  Sacred  Harmonic  Society  of  London, 
and  similar  organizations,  must  confess  that  while,  of  course, 
weak  in  the  grand  effects,  there  was  not  simply  a  precision,  a 
technical  mastery  of  difficulties,  but  better  still,  an  intelligence 
of  comprehension  and  a  poetry  of  execution  which  are  almost 
never  surpassed.  It  was  not  simple  earnestness,  but  there 

2 


10 

was  a  delicacy  of  shading,  a  studious  force  of  contrasts,  a 
breadth- of  style  which  showed  the  most  careful  study  of  the 
piece,  viewed  as  a  great  religious  work.  In  a  word,  it  was 
given  in  a  manner  quite  in  keeping  with  the  Institution  under 
whose  auspices  it  was  performed.  These  qualities  were  so 
uniformly  displayed  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  select  instances. 
Of  course,  with  a  chorus  of  less  than  two  hundred,  with  a 
small  orchestra,  and  an  organ  not  of  first  magnitude,  the 
thrilling  effects  produced  by  numbers  cannot  be  gained  ;  but 
it  may  be  said  that  the  '  Hallelujah '  and  the  closing  chorus, 
1  Worthy  is  the  Lamb,'  were  a  surprise  to  all  in  their  massive 
and  stirring  power.  But  all  had  been  equally  studied,  and 
revealed  in  the  details  the  supervision  of  a  skilled  director,  and 
the  most  painstaking  practice.  The  impression  made  upon 
the  crowded  audience  was  one  of  surprise,  pleasure,  and  satis- 
faction." 

The  annual  devotional  service,  held  on  Thursday  morn- 
ing, was  more  largely  attended  than  usual,  and  most  appro- 
priately conducted  by  Rev.  H.  C.  Alvord.  Brethren  widely 
sundered  for  years  found  the  hour  of  spiritual  fellowship  most 
delightful  and  refreshing. 

The  afternoon  was  d'evoted  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Pastoral  Union,  whose  business  proceedings,  reported  in  the 
Appendix,  were  enlivened  by  a  thrilling  address  of  congratu- 
lation and  sympathy,  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  B.  Webb  of  Boston, 
who  succeeded  this  year  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

The  closing  exercises  in  the  evening  were  very  largely 
attended.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  J.  F.  Behrends  of  Brooklyn,  delivered 
the  last  lecture  in  the  Carew  course  on  "  The  Relation  of  the 
Mind  of  Man  to  the  Revelation  of  God."  His  profoundly 
philosophical  treatment  of  the  theme  was  designed  to  demon- 
strate the  capacity  of  man's  mind  to  receive,  respond  to,  and 
interpret  the  revealed  thought  of  God. 

The  memorable  series  of  services  was  concluded  by  the 
eminently  appropriate  and  practical  address  of  Rev.  Pro- 
fessor Riddle  to  the  graduating  class,  which  is  the  fitting  con- 
clusion to  this  Memorial  volume. 


ADDRESSES  AND  LETTERS. 


Address    of  Welcome. 

BY    ROWLAND    SWIFT,  ESQ. 

Mr.  President,  Alumni,  and  friends: 

As  one  looks  about  him  here,  just  now,  there  is  something 
in  the  very  motion  and  composure  of  this  gathered  company 
that  is  suggestive  of  the  season  of  reunion  and  repast  for 
kindred  hearts.  I  am  sure  that  something  of  the  old-time 
spirit  of  the  Pilgrims'  Jubilee,  grave  indeed,  but  fervid  too 
and  even  exuberant,  is  abroad  in  the  assembly  and  moving 
upon  the  surface  and  through  the  depths  of  it. 

A  narrative  of  early  colonial  times  tells  of  the  reward  to 
public  and  united  prayers,  when  the  rains  saved  the  shrivel- 
ing crops :  "  Having  these  many  signs  of  God's  favor  and 
acception  we  thought  it  would  be  great  ingratitude  if, 
secretly,  we  should  smother  up  the  same  or  content  our- 
selves with  private  thanksgiving  for  that  which  by  private 
prayer  could  not  be  obtained."  Cotton  Mather  recorded  the 
information  that  Mr.  Eliot  taught  his  Indian  converts  "to  set 
apart  their  days  for  both  fasting  and  prayer  and  for  feasting 
and  prayer,"  and  that  they,  the  devout  Indians,  "  performed 
the  duties  of  those  days  with  a  very  laborious  piety."  I  hope 
we  shall  do  as  well  as  they,  with  less  fatigue  and  possibly  as 
appropriately;  but  it  is  our  turn  to-day  to  celebrate;  it  is  our 
calling  to  rejoice  and  give  thanks,  not  secretly,  at  the  manifold 
things  of  divine  bestowal  which  we  have  received. 

The  committee  have  honored  me  with  a  request  that  I 
should  say  a  few  words  for  them  at  this  stage  of  your  proceed- 
ings. I  wish,  at  the  same  time,  that  what  I  have  to  offer,  so 
very  briefly  as  will  be  necessary,  may  be  commended  to  your 


12 

acceptance  as  the  hearty  greeting  of  a  citizen  of  Hartford,  for 
I  cannot  avoid  associating,  in  a  manner,  events  which  we 
celebrate  in  this  presence,  with  others  inevitably  to  be  recalled 
to  mind  as  we  go  on,  and  which  are  happily  so  much  in 
harmony  with  this  occasion.  I  assume,  as  a  fact,  that  this 
memorial  service  to  which  you  have  been  invited,  commemo- 
rates one  of  the  accomplishments  which  is  fairly  illustrative 
of  the  old-time  character  of  our  Christian  citizenship — its 
loyalty,  its  wisdom,  and  its  piety. 

I  presume  you  will  not  forget  that  probably  before  ever  a 
kernel  of  wheat  was  sown  upon  these  hills  or  even  a  furrow 
had  been  traced  across  the  virgin  intervals,  our  provident 
forefathers  had  hewed  and  planted  and  covered  in  the  beams  of 
their  little  sanctuary.  The  colony  was  still  very  young  when 
Hopkins,  first  the  merchant  citizen,  then  the  chief  magistrate, 
had  set  apart  a  significant  portion  of  his  estate  by  will,  "  to 
give  some  encouragement  for  the  breeding  up  of  hopeful 
youths  both  at  the  grammar  school  and  college,  for  the  public 
service  of  the  country  in  future  times,"  supplementing  this 
first  provision  by  another,  as  he  so  positively  set  forth,  "  in 
further  prosecution  of  the  aforesaid  public  ends,  which,  in  the 
simplicity  of  my  heart,  are  for  the  upholding  and  promoting 
the  Kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  those  parts  of  the 
earth." 

It  is  assuring  to  remind  ourselves  how  the  land  was 
possessed,  and  how  orderly  and  characteristic  was  the  progress 
of  Christian  enterprise.  A  city  that  began,  well  back  in  the 
last  century,  to  gather  its  public  libraries,  and  to  multiply  its 
churches;  where,  from  common  school  to  college,  seminaries  of 
learning  have  increased  as  rapidly  as  riches ;  where,  in  due 
time,  were  planted  homes  for  the  orphan,  retreat  for  the 
insane,  asylum  and  training-school  for  the  deaf  and  dumb, 
reformatories  for  the  inebriate,  hospitals  for  the  sick  and 
injured,  houses  of  refuge  for  the  aged  and  infirm,  and 
numerous  other  distinctively  Christian  enterprises,  to  this  day 
doing  their  beneficent  and  sacred  work — Hartford,  at  the 
appointed  time,  not  lacking  a  citizenship  equal  to  the  oppor- 
tunity, after  thoughtful  observation  and  deliberation,  of  course 


13 

adopted  this  consecrated  school.  It  was  like  Hartford  to  do 
it ;  to  do  it  in  a  way  that  should  bring  to  record  that 
measured  decision  that  goes  with  purpose  and  faith ;  and  if  you 
would  see  a  chart  of  the  willing  mind  that  is  accepted 
according  to  what  a  man  hath  and  not  according  to  what  he 
hath  not,  look  over,  some  day,  the  lists  of  saintly  donors 
enrolled  upon  the  old  subscription  books.  She  who  cast  in  of 
her  living  has  written  her  name  there,  and  the  well-to-do 
men  of  the  time  have  honored  the  page  and  their  names  and 
their  city  by  varying  and  increasing  and  noble  gifts. 

Here  the  renovated  institution  was  not  out  of  place.  New 
associations  were  and  are  felicitous,  and  you  who,  to-day, 
return  here  for  the  first  time,  find  yourselves  here  at  home, 
and  we  together,  citizens  and  alumni,  may  reverently  give 
thanks  for  what  we  see  not  only  within  these  walls,  but  for 
the  legacy  of  unnumbered  names  ever  to  be  remembered  with 
Hopkins's  and  Wadsworth's  and  Watkinson's  and  Gallaudet's 
and  Hosmer's,  because  of  their  co-operation  in  those  benefi- 
cent projects  which  best  adorn  our  neighboring  landscapes, 
and  most  significantly  characterize  our  civilization. 

With  the  close  of  our  half  century  we  would  gladly  have 
welcomed  full  numbers  to  our  golden  festival.  A  timely 
summons,  as  hopefully  importunate  as  could  be  framed,  went 
abroad  to  every  name  upon  your  rolls  of  survivors.  Many 
are  marked  "  not  present "  this  morning,  yet  it  will  seem 
so  often,  while  you  are  together,  as  if  they  were  very  near  and 
verily  of  your  company ! 

I  have  been  told  that  on  the  shores  of  the  Adriatic,  there 
may  be  heard,  at  nightfall  of  almost  any  day,  the  sweet 
snatches  of  song  that  are  sent  out  by  waiting  mothers  and 
children  who  expect,  through  the  deepening  shadows,  the  return 
of  husband  or  brother.  From  afar  out  upon  the  waters, 
responding  strains  are  heard  at  last,  and  though  distant  and 
but  faintly  to  be  heard,  how  do  they  reward  and  animate  the 
heart  of  loving  wife  and  child !  They  sing  to  and  fro  from 
beach  to  boat  as  the  tired  but  blessed  fishermen  are  guided 
to  their  rock  and  to  their  home ! 

In  the  mountains  of  the  Tyrol,  too,  they  say  such  another  call 


14 

rises,  at  the  cottage-doors  of  the  shepherds,  from  those  who  love 
them  and  who  come  out  at  sunset  and  listen,  sometimes  long, 
for  the  answering  music  that  shall  tell  them  that,  from  the 
pastures  where  they  find  verdure  and  danger,  the  herdsman, 
though  belated,  is  corning  homeward  with  all  his  flock.  The 
song  that  flies  from  cot  to  cliff,  and  from  cliff  to  cot,  ceases 
never  until  man  and  herd  are  brought  safely  to  home  and 
rest.  In  such  expressive  sympathy  will  you  find  yourselves 
with  your  absent  brethren,  when  in  due  course  you  hear  from 
them  by  and  bye.  Our  overtures  that  were  sent  across  the 
seas  brought 'responses  that  thrill  the  heart  like  a  heroic  song. 
They  seem  to  say  :  "  We  have  cast  our  net  on  the  other  side 
of  the  ship.  We  shall  find.  The  master  said  so.  It  is 
filling ;  we  cannot  leave  it  till  we  bring  it  safe,  unbroken  to 
the  land ! " 

From  the  mountains  of  the  west  others  sent  answers  of 
regret,  but  so  praiseful  that  their  cheer  comes  very  close 
home.  "  Thank  God  for  our  ninety-and-nine.  We  seek  those 
that  remain,  that  have  been  given  to  us ;  when  they  are  found 
— it  will  not  be  long — we  will  come  home ;  then,  friends,  we 
will  have  rest,  and  rejoice  together."  But  I  am  not  unmind- 
ful how  the  time  speeds  on  to-day.  The  fervent  grip  of  your 
hands  with  one  another  has  already  had  its  spell,  and  the 
irrepressible  interchange  of  news  and  assurance,  a  longer 
charm.  So  the  Anniversary  will  quickly  weave  its  shining 
golden  thread  across  and  through  the  texture  of  the  onward 
extending  life. 

God  bless  you,  friends,  and  give  you  cheer  when  you  must 
go  again  from  the  restful  holiday  to  the  waiting  field,  but  a 
brimful,  New  England  Thanksgiving  welcome  to  you  while 
you  stay! 


Historical   Address. 

BY    PROFESSOR    WILLIAM    THOMPSON. 

To  some  who  favor  us  with  their  presence  this  morning, 
the  establishment  and  early  fortunes  of  the  Theological  Insti- 
tute of  Connecticut  are  a  familiar  story.  They  were  old 
enough  in  1834  to  read  and  hear  what  was  said, and  done  by 
its  advocates  and  opponents.  They  have  not  been  indifferent 
observers  of  its  ongoings  from  one  decade  to  another.  But 
of  the  men  who  started  the  enterprise,  and  of  its  singular 
experiences,  few  of  you  retain  from  personal  knowledge  a 
clear  impression.  The  survey  now  proposed  is  chiefly  for  a 
younger  class  of  hearers,  more  or  less  curious  to  learn  how 
the  Seminary  fared  while  it  remained  at  East  Windsor  Hill. 

"  New  England  Theology  "  is  an  ambiguous  phrase.  The 
varieties  of  belief  denoted  by  this  term  at  different  periods 
have  always  been  spoken  of  with  special  reference  .to  Congre- 
gationalists.  Before  the  time  of  Pres.  Edwards,  New  England 
divines  held  the  Calvinistic  views  embodied  substantially  in 
Willard's  Lectures  on  the  Assembly's  Catechism.  Whatever 
modifications  of  theological  belief  were  afterwards  adopted, 
the  system  remained  essentially  the  same,  and  it  has  long 
been  customary  to  name  as  its  chief  expounders  and  advocates 
in  the  last  century  Edwards,  Bellamy,  and  Dwight.  Its  more 
recent  representatives  in  New  England  were  Woods  and  Tyler. 
The  views  held  by  these  writers  differ  but  little  from  those 
embodied  in  the  creeds  of  New  England  churches  from  the 
earliest  period  in  their  history  to  a  very  recent  day.  They 
are  sometimes  designated  as  "  Old  Calvinism,"  sometimes 
"  Old  School  Theology." 

The  tenets  set  fortli  by  a  class  of  theologians  claiming  to 
bo  "  consistent  Calvinists,"  led  by  Drs.  Eiimioiis  and  Hopkins, 


16 

have  been  styled  in  some  quarters  "  New  England  Theology." 
But  what  these  eminent  divines  taught  as  "  improvements  " 
on  the  doctrinal  system  long  accepted  among  us  never  gained 
a  currency  sufficiently  wide  to  justify  this  title. 

More  recently  the  speculations  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  "W".  Taylor 
and  his  associates  have  been  known  to  a  moderate  extent  by 
the  same  name.  They  are  more  properly  known  as  the  "  New 
Divinity  of  New  England,"  or  "New  Haven  Divinity."  In 
the  year  1822  the  Theological  Department  of  Yale  College 
was  Organized  in  its  present  form,  and  Dr.  Nathaniel  W. 
Taylor  was  appointed  professor.  The  founder  of  his  profes- 
sorship required  that  as  a  condition  of  holding  office  the 
incumbent  sliould  give  his  assent  to  the  Saybrook  Platform, 
the  doctrinal  part  of  which  instrument  is  in  full  accord  with 
the  Assembly's  Catechism.  It  was  the  accredited  formula  of 
a  large  proportion  of  the  Congregational  churches  in  New 
England. 

Not  long  after  the  inauguration  of  Dr.  Taylor  it  became 
known  to  some  of  his  intimate  ministerial  friends,  of  whom 
Dr.  Nettleton  was  one,  that  he  held  theories  and  speculations 
not  in  agreement  with  the  acknowledged  standards  of  ortho- 
doxy. In  his  Concio  ad  Clerum,  preached  Sept.  10, 1828,  sen- 
timents and  hypotheses  were  avowed  which  awakened  wide- 
spread anxiety.  Two  years  before  this  Prof.  Fitch  preached 
a  sermon  on  "  Sin,"  which  was  generally  considered  as 
antagonistic  to  evangelical  doctrine.  Various  attempts  were 
made  to  prevent  open  controversy,  but  they  proved  futile. 
Personal  expostulation,  correspondence,  conferences  of  repre- 
sentative men,  all  failed  to  quiet  the  rising  agitation  or 
restrain  the  New  Haven  divines  from  advocating  their  senti- 
ments through  the  press. 

The  tenets  of  Dr.  Taylor  which  created  disquietude,  it  is 
believed,  may  be  fairly  stated  as  follows  : 

First.  God  could  not  have  prevented  all  sin  in  a  moral 
system. 

Second.  Mankind  came  into  the  world  with  the  same 
nature  in  kind  as  that  with  which  Adam  was  created,  and  the 


17 

fact  that  his  posterity  uniformly  sin  is  due  to  the  circum- 
stances in  which  they  are  placed. 

Third.  Self-love  is  the  primary  cause  of  all  moral  action. 
The  exact  form  of  the  thesis  was  in  these  words  :  "  Of  all  spe- 
cific voluntary  action  the  happiness  of  the  agent,  in  some 
form,  is  the  ultimate  end." 

Fourth.  Antecedent  to  regeneration  the  selfish  principle 
is  suspended  in  the  sinner's  heart,  so  that  he  ceases  to  sin 
and  uses  the  means  of  regeneration  with  motives  that  are 
neither  sinful  nor  holy. 

In  the  leading  religious  quarterly  of  New  England  at  that 
time,  the  Christian  Spectator,  these  dogmas  were  set  forth  with 
great  earnestness,  eloquence,  and  skill  by  eminent  divines, 
who  shared  the  prestige  of  our  chief  literary  institution,  and 
of  the  general  respect  and  confidence  won  by  their  eminent 
attainments  and  services.  To  protest  publicly  against  the 
sentiments  avowed  by  such  writers,  holding  exalted  positions 
and  assured  of  powerful  support,  was  a  step  from  which  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  and  intelligent  laymen  naturally  recoiled. 
But  there  seemed  to  be  no  option.  Individual  remonstrances 
and  entreaties  had  failed  to  prevent  the  wide  dissemination 
of  theological  sentiments  believed  by  many  to  be  fraught  with 
incalculable  mischief.  This  apprehension  of  danger  was 
deeply  felt  by  Jeremiah  Evarts,  Glov.  John  Cotton  Smith, 
Drs.  Tyler,  Nettleton,  Humphrey,  Griffin,  Ebenezer  Porter, 
Woods,  and  other  leading  men  in  New  England  and  in 
various  quarters.  If  any  persons  were  competent  to  estimate 
correctly  the  difference  between  the  New  Haven  Theology 
and  what  the  Congregational  churches  and  ministers  of  New 
England  generally  and  firmly  believed  to  be  the  teachings  of 
the  Divine  Word,  they  were  found  among  those  who  struck 
the  first  note  of  alarm.  The  more  thoroughly  the  New 
Haven  Divinity  was  examined,  the  more  clearly  it  appeared 
to  be  antagonistic  to  biblical  views  of  the  divine  government, 
human  depravity,  regeneration,  and  the  essential  difference 
between  the  motives  that  govern  renewed  and  unrenewed 
men.  Perhaps  the  time  has  not  yet  come  for  an  impartial 

3 


18 

judgment  on  the  merits  of  the  controversy  and  the  spirit  in 
which  it  was  conducted.  With  some  confidence,  however,  an 
unbiased  inquirer  may  be  referred  to  what  was  written  at  the 
most  exciting  stage  of  the  discussion  by  Drs.  Dow,  Nettleton, 
Tyler,  and  Woods,  as  seldom  marred  by  asperity  or  unfair- 
ness. Such  a  reader  would  not  fail  of  seeing  that  these  men 
were  profoundly  moved  in  view  of  doctrinal  innovations 
imperiling  the  purity  of  revivals  and  the  spiritual  vigor  of 
the  churches. 

No  branch  of  the  new  divinity  awakened  more  general  fear 
and  regret  than  what  was  currently  styled  at  the  time  "  Re- 
generation by  self-love."  Near  the  fatal  close  of  his  long 
illness  Dr.  Nettleton  was  visited  by  his  old  ministerial  friend, 
the  acknowledged  leader  of  the  new  movement,  with  whose 
views  he  had  been  sorely  grieved.  Shortly  after  the  inter- 
view he  wrote  to  his  distinguished  visitor,  concluding  his 
letter  as  follows :  "I  would  cherish  the  hope  that  your  own 
religious  experience  is  at  variance  with  some  things  which 
you  have  published ;  particularly  on  the  subject  of  self-love, 
and  the  great  doctrine  of  regeneration.  It  does  seem  to  me  I 
experienced  all  which  you  make  essential  to  regeneration, 
while,  as  I  now  fully  believe,  my  heart  was  unreconciled  to 
God.  And  this  is  the  reason  that  leads  me  to  fear  that  what 
you  have  written  will  be  the  means  of  deceiving  and  destroy- 
ing souls.  I  say  this  with  the  kindest  feelings  and  with 
eternity  in  view.  Receive  it  as  my  dying  testimony  and  as 
an  expression  of  my  sincere  love." 

With  such  positive  convictions  respecting  the  views  persist- 
ently advocated  in  high  places  as  "  great  improvements  "  on 
the  old  theology  thirty-six  Connecticut  Congregational  minis- 
ters met  in  convention  at  East  (now  South)  Windsor,  Sept. 
10,  1833,  "  for  the  purpose  of  consultation  and  taking  such 
measures  as  may  be  deemed  expedient  for  the  defense  and 
promotion  of  evangelical  principles."  The  sessions  were  held 
in  a  small  ancient  brick  school-house  about  half  a  mile  north 
of  the  present  Congregational  church.  The  more  prominent 
members  of  the  body  were  Drs.  Samuel  Spring,  Asahel 
Nettleton,  Nathaniel  Hewitt,  Daniel  Dow,  G.  A.  Calhoun, 


19 

Joseph  Harvey,  and  Kev.  Cyrus  Yale.  Only  three  of  the 
thirty-six  delegates  are  now  living.  The  two  days  in  that 
secluded  brick  school-house  devoted  to  prayerful  deliberation 
were  marked  by  the  absence  of  party-spirit  and  unmistakable 
tokens  of  the  divine  presence.  The  result  was  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Conn.  Pastoral  Union,  and  shortly  after  the  Theo- 
logical Institute  of  Connecticut.  At  a  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  the  ensuing  spring  an  act  of  incorporation  was 
obtained,  allowing  the  trustees  to  hold  property  to  the 
amount  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Upon  the  petition  of  the 
trustees  in  1859  the  charter  was  so  amended  that  the  Insti- 
tute could  hold  any  real  or  personal  estate,  provided  the 
annual  income  thereof  should  not  exceed  twelve  thousand 
dollars. 

The  location  of  the  Seminary  at  East  Windsor  was  chiefly 
due  to  the  generous  aid  proffered  by  Mr.  Erastus  Ellsworth, 
who  had  recently  retired  to  that  town  after  a  prosperous 
business  career  in  New  York.  If  other  friends  have  made 
larger  donations  to  the  Institute,  no  one  is  better  entitled  to 
be  called  its  foster-father.  In  its  early  days  of  weakness  and 
subsequent  perils  Erastus  Ellsworth  promptly  responded  to 
every  call  that  taxed  his  purse,  time,  patience,  or  capacity  as 
a  man  of  affairs.  On  the  13th  of  May,  1834,  the  corner- 
stone of  the  seminary  edifice  was  laid  by  the  venerable  Dr. 
Perkins  of  West  Hartford,  and  two  professors  were  inducted 
into  office :  Dr.  Bennett  Tyler,  Professor  of  Theology,  and 
Dr.  Jonathan  Cogswell,  Professor  of  Sacred  History.  During 
the  previous  winter  fifteen  students  had  received  instruction 
from  Dr.  Tyler.  On  the  14th  of  the  following  October  the 
Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  entered  on  his  duties.  The 
regular  course  of  instruction  now  began,  sixteen  students 
being  in  attendance.  Two  stories  of  the  seminary  building 
were  ready  for  use,  and  about  two  thousand  volumes,  chiefly 
given  by  Connecticut  pastors,  had  been  placed  on  the  shelves 
of  the  library. 

In  their  first  report  to  the  Pastoral  Union  the  trustees 
advert  to  the  "  prayerful  solicitude  and  trembling  hope  "  with 
which  the  resolution  was  adopted  "  under  an  imperious  sense 


20 

of  duty  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  and  implicit  reli- 
ance upon  his  blessing,  to  proceed  to  the  establishment  of  a 
new  seminary  for  the  education  of  young  men  for  the  gospel 
ministry."  With  limited  means  and  under  great  discourage- 
ments the  guardians  of  the  young  enterprise  found  their  first 
year's  experience  fitted  to  "  excite  their  gratitude  and  animate 
their  hopes."  "  The  increasing  confidence  and  favor  of  the 
Christian  public  "  was  noted  with  special  gratification.  The 
whole  amount  of  subscriptions  to  May  1st,  1835,  was  thirty- 
three  thousand  seven  hundred  thirty-three  dollars.  The 
largest  donation  was  that  of  $1,250  from  Mr.  David  N.  Lord 
of  the  city  of  New  York.  A  large  proportion  of  the  gifts  by 
which  the  current  expenses  of  the  Institute  were  met  du ring- 
its  first  years  was  in  small  sums  by  persons  of  moderate 
means.  For  a  time  the  trustees  judged  that  when  the  cost  of 
buildings  had  been  defrayed  an  income  of  $3,000  annually 
would  be  sufficient,  and  that  it  would  be  better  to  obtain  this 
sum  by  yearly  subscriptions  than  to  aim  at  permanent  endow- 
ments. 

Could  any  one  expect  that  the  establishment  of  a  second 
theological  seminary  in  Connecticut  would  escape  hostile  crit- 
icism ?  In  the  fall  of  1834  the  theological  Professors  of  Yale 
College  published  a  statement  denying  that  any  good  reason 
could  be  assigned  for  the  new  enterprise.  This  called  out  an 
"  Appeal  to  the  Public  in  behalf  of  the  Institute."  The 
trustees  defended  their  action  on  the  ground  that  the  theo- 
logical school  at  New  Haven  was  under  the  entire  control  of 
a  corporation,  nearly  one-half  of  whose  members  are  such 
men  as  one  political  party  or  another  happens  to  choose  for 
State  officers.  By  a  change  in  recent  years  the  alumni  choose 
six  members  of  the  corporation.  It  is  not  apparent  that  this 
measure  increases  the  security  of  the  Theological  Department. 
Reference  wTas  also  made  by  our  trustees  to  the  feeling  of 
insecurity  awakened  among  the  churches  by  the  disclosure  of 
the  fact  that  three  of  the  Professors  in  the  New  Haven  Semin- 
ary were  not  required  to  give  their  assent  to  any  confession 
of  faith.  %  The  Professor  of  Theology  was  indeed  bound  to 
declare  "  his  free  assent  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  arid  Eccle- 


21 

siastical  Discipline  agreed  upon  by  the  Churches  of  this  State 
in  the  year  1708."  This  refers  to  the  Saybrook  Platform, 
which  in  doctrine  is  identical  with  the  Assembly's  Catechism. 
But,  to  the  surprise  of  the  public,  it  was  now  announced  that 
Dr.  Taylor  "  had  certain  knowledge,  from  personal  inter- 
course with  the  founders  (of  his  professorship),  that  if  he  had 
embraced  every  minute  doctrine  of  the  Confession  it  would 
have  been  considered  a  decisive  disqualification  for  the  office." 
Consequently  it  was  claimed  that,  while  the  Professor  of  The- 
ology held  and  taught  doctrines  at  variance  with  the  creed,  he 
could  not  be  impeached,  because  his  assent  had  been  given 
only  for  substance  of  doctrine. 

A  still  more  weighty  reason  for  their  action  was  assigned  by 
our  trustees.  It  was  the  deep  and  wide-spread  dissatisfaction 
produced  by  the  publication  and  defense  of  the  New  Haven 
views.  These  have  been  already  stated. 

A  subordinate  motive  for  organizing  a  new  seminary  was 
the  growing  demand  for  more  adequate  physical  exercise  by 
candidates  for  the  sacred  office.  Extended  investigations  had 
lately  shown  that  an  alarming  percentage,  fully  one-half,  of 
those  who  deserve  the  character  of  close  students,  injured 
themselves  by  neglect  of  bodily  exercise.  An  early  grave  or 
chronic  weakness  and  disease  were  the  penalty  to  be  expected 
in  the  case  of  many  promising  aspirants  for  the  ministry.  To 
check  this  fearful  loss  of  consecrated  talent  it  was  resolved  to 
provide  ample  means  for  manual  labor  in  the  new  school  of 
the  prophets. 

The  prejudices  of  many  good  people  were  roused  against 
the. Institute  by  the  persistent  accusation  that  it  was  divisive 
in  its  aims  and  spirit,  and  foretokened  the  breaking  up  of 
existing  ecclesiastical  relations  in  this  state.  The  answer 
was  that  no  such  purpose  was  entertained.  It  was  said : 
u  While  we  concede  to  our  brethren  who  differ  from  us  the 
right  to  think  for  themselves  and  to  inculcate  their  own  opin- 
ions, we  ask  them  to  allow  us  the  same  privilege.  To  say 
that  the  founders  of  the  Seminary  had  a  right  to  form  and 
publicly  avow  their  own  religious  principles  ;  to  say  that  they 
had  a  right  to  consecrate  a  portion  of  their  property  to  the 


9O 


defense  and  diffusion  of  these  principles,  and  to  guard  the 
sacred  deposit  against  perversion  as  they  have  done  in  their 
statutes,  is  only  to  claim  in  their  behalf  a  participation  in  the 
privileges  common  to  every  protestant  and  to  every  citizen  of 
a  free  country."  One  individual  who  was  active  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Pastoral  Union  and  in  measures  immediately  fol- 
lowing did  indeed  favor  a  radical  policy.  No  one,  however, 
seconded  his  proposal  to  withdraw  fellowship  from  the  New 
School  brethren.  The  intimate  friends  of  Dr.  Joseph  Harvey 
could  not  have  been  surprised  by  his  advocacy  of  an  extreme 
measure.  Excelled  by  few  men  in  personal  attractions,  an  able 
preacher  and  polemic,  he  inherited  a  morbid,  nervous  organi- 
zation, that  often  taxed  the  patience  of  his  friends,  and  best 
explains  certain  intellectual  caprices  that  made  him  a  doubtful 
coadjutor  in  any  undertaking.  At  an  early  day  he  suddenly 
ceased  to  cooperate  with  the  Pastoral  Union  and  connected 
himself  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

It  has  been  well  said  that  "  earnestness  and  fidelity  to  con- 
victions everywhere  carry  a  cross.''  The  men  who  conscien- 
tiously identified  themselves  with  the  Institute  in  its  early 
days  were  well  aware  of  the  grave  difficulties  surrounding  the 
enterprise.  With  few  exceptions  the  press  was  either  adverse 
or  indifferent.  Without  a  periodical  to  repel  calumnious  mis- 
representations the  trustees  and  faculty  for  the  most  part  suf- 
fered in  silence  under  the  scourge  of  unscrupulous  tongues  and 
pens.  The  seclusion  and  incongenial  surroundings  of  the 
Seminary,  its  moderate  equipment  in  funds,  books,  teachers,  and 
constituency  offered  abundant  material  to  unfriendly  critics. 
Their  opportunity  to  prejudice  the  public  mind  was  not  lost. 
If  a  candidate  for  the  gospel  ministry  set  his  face  towards 
East  Windsor,  he  did  not  fail  to  encounter  warnings  and  dis- 
suasives  to  which  young  men  are  keenly  alive.  That  the 
number  of  students,  compared  with  older  seminaries,  contin- 
ued to  be  small  was  not  surprising.  That  within  the  first  few 
years  thirty-four  were  in  attendance  was  justly  and  devoutly 
recognized  as  a  special  token  of  divine  favor.  So  also  was 
their  continuance,  with  so  few  exceptions,  till  the  end  of  the 
course,  in  view  of  the  odium  that  lessened  their  chance  for  a 


23 

fair  start  in  life.  An  early  graduate  after  a  long  interval 
thus  adverts  to  his  experience :  "  Our  numbers  all  told  were 
few,  and  class  distinctions,  however  informal  and  loosely  held, 
narrowed  still  more  the  area  of  our  restricted  intimacies. 
Most  of  us  were  fresh  from  our  large  college  associations  with 
their  varied  excitements,  and  we  found  it  hard  to  settle  our- 
selves down  into  the  narrow  grooves  in  which  our  seminary 
life  seemed  to  drag  itself  along.  And  the  outside  neighbor- 
hood was  nearly  as  contracted  as  the  Seminary.  The  families 
that  cared  for  an  acquaintance,  though  cultured  and  hospita- 
ble, were  still  infrequent  and  scattered.  Both  from  within 
and  from  without  a  pressure  was  put  upon  us  sometimes 
annoying  and  always  troublesome.  We  were  young  men 
with  aspirations  for  usefulness  and  ambitious  of  success.  We 
were  desirous  to  know  and  obey  the  truth,  but  at  the  same 
time  did  not  want,  if  we  could  help  it,  to  be  put  without  the 
pale  of  popular  sympathy  and  support."  Gradually,  as  one 
small  class  after  another  came  before  ecclesiastical  bodies  for 
license  or  ordination,  popular  prejudice  subsided.  Judged  by 
its  average  pupils  it  appeared  that  the  Seminary  wras  not 
belligerent,  but  contented  itself  with  teaching  the  same  evan- 
gelical truths  that  had  long  been  the  strength  and  inspiration 
of  New  England  Congregational  churches. 

The  limited  views  of  our  first  Board  of  trustees  were  illus- 
trated in  two  particulars.  Instead  of  planning  at  the  outset 
for  a  library  that  any  competent  judge  would  deem  suitable 
for  a  public  institution,  they  seemed  to  regard  a  few  thousand 
volumes,  chiefly  such  as  could  be  spared  from  a  pastor's  study, 
as  sufficient.  The  wrant  of  standard  works  in  every  depart- 
ment was  a  continued  source  of  lamentation.  In  1836, 
through  the  influence  of  Dr.  John  Todd,  then  pastor  in  Gro- 
ton,  Mass.,  one  thousand  dollars  from  the  estate  of  Deacon 
Stone  of  Townshend  was  appropriated  to  the  increase  of  the 
library.  Not  long  after  Mr.  Abrier  Kingman  of  Boston 
Highlands,  in  gratitude  that  his  pastor  decided  not  to  accept 
a  professorship  tendered  him  by  the  trustees  of  the  Institute, 
made  a  handsome  donation  of  carefully  selected  books  neatly 
bound.  Besides  these  gifts  the  trustees  expended  less  than 


24 

fifteen  hundred  dollars  on  the  library  during  the  thirty  years 
prior  to  our  leaving  East  Windsor  Hill.  The  dreary  record 
of  three  thousand  volumes  had  indeed  been  changed  to  that 
of  seven  thousand  before  we  came  to  Hartford.  Of  the  fifty 
dollars  allowed  the  librarian  as  his  salary  for  forty-five  years 
twenty-five  dollars  went  to  his  assistant.  Another  sample  of 
the  humble  standard  with  which  the  trustees  were  at  first 
content  may  be  seen  in  the  annual  income  judged  sufficient 
when  the  necessary  buildings  and  other  fixed  property  were 
paid  for.  In  successive  reports  they  expressed  the  opinion 
that  three  thousand  dollars  would  defray  current  expenses. 
In  partial  justification  of  this  estimate  it  should  be  known 
that  one  professor,  who  had  received  a  handsome  legacy  from  a 
rich  brother  in  New  York,  served  the  institution  gratuitously, 
and  the  salary  of  the  youngest  professor  was  six  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars,  exclusive  of  house  rent.  By  some  influential 
members  of  the  board  permanent  funds  were  looked  upon  with 
distrust.  Had  they  not  in  many  cases  been  perverted  ?  Are 
they  not  always  a  prize  coveted  by  men  seeking  an  easy 
position,  and  under  little  restraint  from  the  obligations  of 
creeds  and  the  wills  of  deceased  benefactors  ?  "  Let  us  shun 
this  danger,"  said  these  good  men.  "  We  will  rely  on  the 
annual  gifts  of  those  whose  hearts  are  with  us.  Some  of  our 
own  number  will  take  short  agencies,  keeping  the  churches 
informed  of  our  work,  and  thankfully  accepting  the  smallest 
contributions."  On  a  scale  of  three  thousand  dollars  a  year 
the  plan  seemed  feasible.  Its  chief  merit  lay  in  securing  from 
godly  persons  the  prayers  and  sympathies  not  less  helpful 
than  their  donations.  The  first  year  of  the  experiment  was 
successful.  Three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  subscribers  were 
reported.  The  smallest  sum  in  the  list  was  fourteen  cents,  and 
the  largest  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Subscriptions  were 
solicited  chiefly  in  this  state  and  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
In  the  year  1839  a  legacy  of  eleven  thousand  dollars  was 
received  from  the  estate  of  Miss  Rebecca  Waldo,  of  Worces- 
ter, Mass.  This  gift,  by  far  the  largest  that  had  yet  come 
into  the  treasury,  was  hailed  with  peculiar  joy.  Wide-spread 
commercial  disasters  had  not  long  before  crippled  a  number 


25 

of  our  patrons,  and  the  collection  of  three  thousand  dollars  in 
small  sums  had  already  become  a  difficult  task.  From  that 
time  little  was  openly  said  against  permanent  endowments. 
Before  a  second  professorship  was  in  this  way  provided  for, 
the  moral  support  previously  derived  from  Christian  people 
in  the  humble  walks  of  life  sensibly  declined.  The  annual 
subscribers  numbering  328  in  1835  dropped  down  to  seven  in 
the  year  1859. 

Besides  the  one  thousand  dollars  appropriated  to  the 
library  by  the  trustees  of  Dea.  Stone's  estate  in  1837,  some 
years  later  Mr.  Richard  Bond  of  Boston  Highlands 
bequeathed  to  the  Institute  seven  thousand  dollars,  of  which 
four  thousand  dollars  were  to  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase 
of  books.  Besides  the  benefit  of  his  professional  services  with- 
out compensation  the  Seminary  received  from  Dr.  Cogswell  one 
thousand  dollars  towards  the  endowment  of  a  Professorship 
of  Ecclesiastical  History,  also  liberal  aid  from  time  to  time  for 
the  relief  of  needy  students.  At  an  early  period  in  our 
history  two  thousand  dollars  were  bequeathed  to  the  Institute 
by  Mr.  Alva  Oilman  of  Hartford.  The  joint  bequest  of  the 
three  Misses  Waldo  of  Worcester,  Mass.,  amounted  to  four- 
teen thousand  dollars,  and  were  set  apart  for  the  support  of 
a  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History. 

The  second  professorship  placed  upon  a  stable  foundation 
was  that  of  Christian  Theology,  by  the  bequest  of  Mr.  Chester 
Buckley  and  his  wife  of  Wethersfield.  To  the  late  Hon. 
Seth  Terry  the  Institute  is  deeply  indebted  for  the  patience, 
tact,  and  legal  experience,  gratuitously  employed  in  success- 
fully thwarting  an  attempt  to  set  aside  the  wills  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Buckley.  On  becoming  satisfied,  after  consulting  the 
best  legal  authorities,  that  the  validity  of  the  wills  was 
seriously  endangered  by  a  technical  flaw,  Judge  Terry  planned 
a  compromise  securing  to  the  Seminary  and  variqus  benevo- 
lent institutions  a  large  proportion  of  the  bequests  named  in 
the  wills,  and  to  the  heirs-at-law  a  considerable  amount  in 
advance  of  what  would  have  fallen  to  them  by  the  terms  of 
of  the  instrument  in  debate.  The  last  of  the  three  endow- 

4 


26 

merits  furnished  before  the  removal  to  Hartford  came  in  part 
from  the  estate  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Asahel  Nettleton.  Besides  a 
bequest  for  the  support  of  the  Professor  of  Bible  Literature 
Dr.  Nettleton  left  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  purchase  of 
periodicals,  and  whatever  should  be  realized  from  the  sales  of 
Village  Hymns  for  the  benefit  of  indigent  students.  By  a 
providential  interposition  the  instrument  bequeathing  a  por- 
tion of  his  property  to  charitable  objects  was  preserved  and  its 
provisions  executed.  Grateful  mention  should  be  made  of  the 
assistance  afforded  our  young  brethren  by  yearly  grants  from 
the  Hale  Donation  and  the  Everest  Fund.  From  the  former 
source  between  two  and  three  hundred  dollars,  and  from  the 
latter  at  least  fifty  dollars,  have  been  annually  applied  for  this 
purpose.  By  means  of  scholarships  a  succession  of  young  men 
have  been  helped  on  their  way  to  the  sacred  office.  Of  these 
charitable  foundations  six  were  furnished  before  we  came  to 
Hartford  and  sixteen  have  been  added  since.  The  first  in 
the  series  was  the  gift  of  Mr.  Abner  Kingman  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  his  respect  and  affection  for  Dr.  Nehemiah 
Adams  of  Boston,  and  the  second  from  the  same  liberal 
friend  bearing  the  name  of  Eliot.  The  names  of  his  bene- 
ficiaries were  communicated  from  time  to  time  to  Mr.  King- 
man, so  that  he  could  follow  them  into  their  home  or  foreign 

'  O 

fields.  More  than  thirty  years  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  the  fruit  of  this  one  species  of  his  manifold  beneficence. 
Our  annals  will  faithfully  transmit  to  coming  generations 
the  names  of  those  whose  gifts  or  services  have  made 
them  prominent  during  the  period  just  closed.  But  at  least 
a  word  of  grateful  recognition  is  due  to  those  self-sacrificing 
Christian  women  in  Hartford  and  Tolland  Counties,  who 
ministered  with  patient  toil,  like  Dorcas  of  old,  to  the  wants 
of  needy  students  from  year  to  year.  If  unlike  hers  their 
names  are  unrecorded,  they  will  have  their  reward. 

The  manual  labor  department  of  the  Seminary  was  planned 
chiefly  for  the  promotion  of  physical  health,  but  some  antici- 
pated it  would  also  yield  pecuniary  profit.  Seventy  acres  of 
choice  alluvial  land,  lying  between  the  seminary  buildings 
and  Connecticut  river,  were  purchased  for  tillage  by  students, 


27 

and  agricultural  implements  were  furnished  without  charge. 
One  acre  or  less,  as  he  might  choose,  was  allowed  each 
student.  The  scheme  included  the  construction  of  a  road 
through  the  center  of  the  field  to  the  river,  where  a  wharf 
was  to  be  built  to  facilitate  the  transportation  of  farm  pro- 
ducts to  this  city.  Operations  began  in  the  spring  of  1834. 
The  first  gush  of  enthusiasm  resulted  in  the  construction  of 
the  road.  A  few,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  farm  work  in 
early  youth,  managed  to  keep  in  good  health  and  earn  enough 
to  pay  for  a  few  text-books  at  the  end  of  the  season.  As  to 
the  majority  of  the  students,  however,  the  outcome  in  respect 
both  to  health  and  profit  was  not  altogether  encouraging. 
In  1835  the  net  profit  of  work  on  land  was  two  hundred  and 
twelve  dollars  and  seventy  cents.  In  1836,  when  the  number 
of  cultivators  had  increased,  three  hundred  and  eighty-three 
dollars  and  sixty-two  cents  were  earned.  The  next  year  no 
estimate  of  proceeds  was  reported.  Several  drawbacks,  not 
duly  estimated  at  first,  conspired  to  disappoint  expectations 
from  the  agricultural  branch  of  manual  labor.  As  the  soil 
became  impoverished  no  provision  was  made  for  enriching  it. 
Not  unfrequently  more  time  was  required  for  necessary  labor 
than  fidelity  to  class-work  would  allow.  As  the  terms  of 
study  were  then  arranged  the  summer  vacation  included 
one  of  the  months  when  few  crops  can  be  wholly  neglected 
without  loss.  Fortunately,  as  a  home  market  was  easily  found 
for  the  products  of  the  farm,  no  money  was  wasted  on  a 
wharf  at  the  river.  The  fate  of  the  workshop,  intended  for 
manual  labor  in  cold  and  stormy  weather,  was  even  more 
disastrous.  Each  student  was  supplied  with  a  box  of  tools, 
but  with  few  exceptions  the  proper  use  of  them  was  unknown 
to  the  young  men.  With  no  superintendent  shop-tools  rapidly 
depreciated  in  value,  .little  merchantable  work  was  produced, 
and  the  end  of  the  experiment  was  'much  the  same  as  of  a 
similar  one  at  Andover. 

By  their  charter  the  trustees  were  authorized  to  establish 
a  classical  school  as  well  as  a  theological  seminary.  Some  of 
them  were  in  favor  of  organizing  it  as  early  as  1836,  but  the 
majority  declined  taking  any  steps  in  that  direction  until 


28 

their  main  enterprise  had  obtained  firm  footing.  In  1850 
public  sentiment  called  with  earnestness  for  the  organization 
of  a  first-class  academy.  It  was  found  that  a  large  percent- 
age of  the  pupils  in  the  best  training  schools  of  Massachusetts 
were  from  Connecticut.  There  was  evidently  wanting 
among  us  a  school  sufficiently  endowed  to  secure  the  services 
of  well-qualified  teachers,  not  dependent  for  support  on 
tuition  fees,  and  pledged  to  a  high  standard  of  scholarship 
irrespective  of  the  number  of  pupils.  This  view  was  enter- 
tained by  many  who  had  no  partiality  for  the  East  Windsor 
Institute.  With  the  Pastoral  Union  and  their  associates  the 
project  found  /avor  because  it  promised  eventually  to 
strengthen  the  higher  institution  under  their  care.  Not  that 
academical  pupils  would  pass  directly  into  the  seminary,  but 
some  of  them  after  leaving  college  would  be  predisposed  to 
take  their  professional  course  in  the  place  to  which  they  had 
become  attached  in  former  years.  By  some  of  us  the  pros- 
pect of  a  good  training  school  at  our  door  was  hailed  as  a 
welcome  boon.  It  would  solve  a  hard  problem.  If  our 
children  were  to  enjoy  any  better  advantages  than  were 
offered  by  the  very  inferior  schools  of  the  'town,  how  could 
their  expenses  away  from  home  be  met  from  an  income  of 
$650  a  year?  In  1851  the  trustees  took  measures  for  put- 
ting into  operation  a  classical  school  to  bear  the  name  of 
East  Windsor  Hill  Academy.  They  avowed  their  purpose 
to  provide  both  thorough  instruction  in  the  various  branches 
of  study  and  in  the  great  principles  of  Christian  faith.  The 
direct  superintendence  of  the  academy  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  a  committee,  two  members  of  which  were  to  be  from 
the  theological  faculty.  Mr.  Paul  A.  Chadbourne  was  chosen 
principal,  with  an  excellent  corps  of  assistant  teachers.  Fifty 
pupils  were  in  attendance  the  first  year.  The  Assembly's 
Catechism  was  recited  -each  wTeek,  and  constant  care  was 
exercised  to  secure  the  objects  dearest  to  the  hearts  of 
Christian  parents.  To  this  feature  of  the  academy  grateful 
tributes  were  paid  in  after  years  by  the  graduates.  When 
Dr.  Chadbourne  was  called  to  a  professorship  in  Williams 
College  his  place  could  not  be  easily  filled;  but  during 


29 

the  ten  years  of  its  existence  the  academy  held  to  the 
purpose  and  pledge  of  its  founders.  Failing  to  obtain  the 
funds  required  for  the  maintenance  of  its  high  standard,  the 
trustees  chose  to  discontinue  the  school  rather  than  suffer  its 
good  name  to  be  tarnished.  Its  graduates  who  entered  our 
best  colleges  took  a  high  rank,  and  keen  disappointment  was 
felt  on  all  sides  that  pecuniary  embarrassment  had  paralyzed 
a  young  training  school  in  which  centered  so  many  hopes 
for  the  cause  of  accurate  scholarship  and  high  moral  culture. 
Although  opposition  to  the  Theological  Seminary  had 
declined  as  its  spirit,  methods,  and  results  became  known  to 
the  Christian  public,  and  its  pecuniary  resources  had  at 
length  reached  a  respectable  figure,  yet  at  the  end  of  twenty 
years  its  guardians  and  friends  became  somewhat  anxious. 
From  the  first  local  embarrassments  had  not  been  a  slight 
obstacle  to  its  growth.  Instead  of  becoming  less  they  had 
seriously  increased.  Facilities  of  intercourse  between  East 
Windsor  Hill  and  other  places  had  lessened.  Steamboats  had 
ceased  to  ply  between  Hartford  and  Springfield.  The  daily 
stage  had  been  withdrawn.  The  railroad  was  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river.  To  take  a  train  one  must  go  eight  miles  to 
Hartford  or  six  to  Warehouse  Point  or  three  to  Windsor 
with  the  uncertainties  of  a  primitive  ferry.  To  or  from 
either  of  these  points  no  regular  conveyance  was  established, 
and  to  obtain  a  private  carriage  was  at  times  attended  with 
difficulty.  Dr.  Eli  Smith,  the  distinguished  missionary,  on  a 
visit  to  his  native  land  had  occasion  to  find  his  way  to  East 
Windsor  Hill  in  prosecution  of  a  matrimonial  alliance.  In 
Springfield  he  learned  that  the  nearest  station  was  at  Wind- 
sor. Stopping  there  at  twilight  he  was  a  long  time  busy  in 
finding  a  vehicle  to  take  him  to  the  river,  where  fresh  delays 
and  perils  awaited  the  veteran  traveler.  On  reaching  his 
destination,  he  remarked,  that  in  his  various  explorations  in 
Palestine  and  Armenia  he  had  experienced  some  inconven- 
iences, but  he  never  found  it  so  difficult  to  get  from  one  point 
to  another  as  from  Old  Windsor  to  East  Windsor  Hill. 
Besides  its  isolation  the  seminary  suffered  from  want  of 


30 

social  and  spiritual  vitality  and  a  literary  atmosphere  so 
helpful  to  studious  young  men. 

From  1855  to  1860  the  Institution  passed  through  a  trying 
ordeal.  For  reasons  already  adverted  to  in  part  its  continued 
existence  was  debated  by  its  stanchest  friends.  While  the 
academy  continued  to  flourish,  such  was  the  decline  in  the 
theological  department  of  the  Institute  as  to  threaten  at  least 
its 'temporary  suspension.  To  guard  the  funds  in  such  an 
emergency  became  an  object  of  solicitude  with  the  Trustees. 
Under  legal  advice  it  was  decided  that,  if  one  of  the  theo- 
logical professors  should  serve  temporarily  as  principal  of 
the  school,  the  funds  of  the  Institute  would  not  be  forfeited. 
Accordingly  the  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  was  requested 
to  act  in  that  capacity.  This  arrangement,  involving  no 
addition  to  the  Professor's  salary,  was  an  economical  one,  as 
it  saved  to  the  treasury  the  amount  otherwise  required  for  the 
support  of  a  principal.  The  proposal  was  accepted  and  several 
hours  were  daily  spent  in  the  academy  without  curtailing  the 
time  allotted  to  Hebrew  and  Greek  in  the  other  building.  To 
instruct  advanced  classes  fitting  for  college  required  of  the 
teacher  a  review  of  the  branches  quite  neglected  for  thirty 
years.  This  style  of  labor  continued  for  two  years. 

Meanwhile  the  trustees  of  the  Institute  invited  the  cor- 
porators of  Yale  College  to  consider  an  overture  for  uniting 
the  two  seminaries.  The  number  of  students  in  each  was 
small  and  declining.  The  guardians  of  each  were  constrained 
to  ask  what  could  forestall  the  calamity  that  threatened  both. 
The  proposed  conference  took  place  between  a  committee  of 
our  trustees  and  the  Prudential  Committee  and  afterwards 
the  Clerical  Fellows  of  Yale  College.  On  both  sides,  it 
would  seem,  the  conference  was  candid  and  courteous. 
Our  trustees  signified  to  the  other  party  "  that  they  had 
in  charge  three  sacred  and  inalienable  trusts;  their  funds, 
their  faith,  and  a  school  in  which  these  funds  should  be 
devoted  to  the  inculcation  of  their  faith."  They  asked  there- 
fore to  be  received  into  the  united  seminary  in  their  complete 
and  unrestrained  integrity.  It  was  proposed  that  the  united 
school  should  be  at  New-  Haven  ;  that  the  present  professors 


31 

in  both  seminaries  should  retire,  leaving  all  the  chairs  to  be 
filled  by  a  new  election ;  that  the  trustees  of  the  Institute 
should  nominate  candidates  and  the  Corporation  should  have 
power  to  elect,  but  only  from  among  these  nominees.  These 
were  the  chief  points.  To  all  the  specifications  of  the  over- 
ture the  New  Haven  gentlemen  acceded,  with  one  exception. 
They  demurred  as  to  the  mode  of  appointing  professors, 
and  proposed  as  a  substitute  that  a  union  be  formed  sub- 
stantially upon  the  basis  already  set  forth,  except  that,  instead 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Pastoral  Union  nominating  and  the 
Corporation  of  the  College  electing  the  professors,  the  boards 
should  constitute  distinct  and  independent  houses  of  convoca- 
tion, each  electing,  and  that  a  concurrent  election  shall  be 
necessary  in  each  case  to  actual  induction.  While  offering 
this  as  a  basis  of  prospective  union  the  New  Haven  gentle- 
men signified  that  a  due  regard  to  certain  very  obvious  per- 
sonal relations  and  sympathies  compelled  them  to  ask  a  delay 
of  definite  action  until  such  time  as  Providence  should  seem  to 
indicate.  After  the  conferences  closed  two  of  the  Clerical  Fel- 
lows of  the  Corporation  signified  that  they  should  require  some 
restriction  upon  the  creed  of  the  Pastoral  Union  if  it  was  to 
be  enforced  in  the  united  seminary.  The  attempt  at  union 
thus  proving  futile  our  board  of  trustees  in  1856  sum- 
moned the  friends  of  the  Institute  to  "  instant  and  earnest 
and  assiduous  endeavor  and  united  prayer  to  God"  for  the 
increase  of  its  efficiency.  Only  partial  success,  however, 
attended  the  efforts  thus  called  forth.  Local  hindrances  to 
the  growth  of  the  Seminary  became  more  and  more  formidable 
from  year  to  year.  In  the  judgment  of  many  its  continued 
life  depended  upon  its  being  transplanted  to  a  more  eligible 
home.  Prominent  trustees  came  to  their  annual  meetings 
after  1857  with  feelings  little  akin  to  a  joyous  reunion. 
Still  the  majority  of  the  board  were  nothing,  daunted  by  the 
untoward  signs  which  were  hailed  with  joy  by  those  whose 
maxim  from  the  first  had  been ;  "  Delenda  est  Carthago." 
How  to  effect  an  escape  from  our  paralyzing  environments 
and  rekindle  the  languishing  hopes  of  guardians  and  friends 
came  to  be  an  urgent  problem.  To  leave  East  Windsor  Hill 


32 

was  to  incur  a  considerable  loss  of  property,  to  inflict  a  deep 
wound  upon  certain  liberal  and  steadfast  friends  who  could 
not  listen  to  arguments  in  favor  of  a  removal  from  the  old 
site,  and  to  run  the  risk  of  extinction  elsewhere  in  circum- 
stances of  mortifying  publicity. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  transitional  period  of  our  history 
the  infirmities  of  age  compelled  Dr.  Tyler  to  ask  a  release 
from  his  official  trusts.  Before  his  resignation  and  to  the 

O 

last  day  of  his  life  his  prevailing  belief  and  hope  were  that 
the  Institute  would  see  brighter  days.  Occasionally,  indeed, 
he  yielded  for  a  moment  to  a  feeling  of  despondence  and  once 
or  twice  read  at  evening  prayers  in  the  chapel  the  hymn  ; 
"  By  whom  shall  Jacob  now  arise,  for  Jacob's  friends  are  few." 
Without  warning  and  without  the  slightest  justification 
anonymous  charges  against  his  doctrinal  soundness  were  put 
in  circulation  just  as  he  was  leaving  a  post  which  he  had 
honorably  filled  for  more  than  twenty  years.  This  bitter  cup, 
it  is  supposed,  was  prepared  by  a  few  members  of  the  Pastoral 
Union  who  had  shared  with  him  the  burdens  of  an  unpopular 
undertaking.  Brooding  over  the  misfortune  which  seemed  to 
threaten  the  beloved  Seminary  they  yielded  to  the  suspicion 
that  the  Professor  of  Theology  was  the  Achan  that  troubled 
the  camp.  At  an  informal  trial  which  was  forced  upon  the 
Pastoral  Union  the  charges  in  question  were  thoroughly 
refuted  and  the  way  made  clear  for  the  venerable  professor  to 
retire  with  dignity  and  grace. 

In  1864  the  Clerical  Fellows  of  Yale  College  appointed  a 
committee,  of  which  the  late  Dr.  Hawes  was  chairman,  to 
confer  with  our  trustees  on  the  question  of  uniting  the  two 
seminaries.  Since  the  abortive  attempt  in  the  same  direction 
in  1856  such  changes  had  taken  place  as  awakened  fresh  hope 
that  the  measure  might  be  consummated.  But  it  was  des- 
tined to  a  second  and  final  defeat.  The  trustees  of  the  Insti- 
tute had  now  resolved  to  remove  it  to  Hartford  "  in  order  to 
open  to  it  a  wider  field  of  usefulness  and  to  confer  upon  it 
greater  privileges."  This  step  was  agreed  upon  in  spite  of 
their  disappointment  in  the  efiort  to  raise  a  fund  of  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars,  deemed  necessary  to  meet  the  increased 


33 

outlay  required  by  the  proposed  change.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  Pastoral  Union  that  year  (1864)  statements  were  made  by 
ministerial  brethren,  from  Massachusetts  which  favored  an 
enlargement  of  our  constituency  beyond  the  bounds  of  the 
state  of  Connecticut.  The  brethren  from  a  neighboring 
state  expressed  a  desire  to  cooperate  with  us  in  checking  the 
speculations  of  a  false  philosophy  which  had  invaded  the 
denomination,  and  which  they  deemed  more  alarming  at  that 
time  than  ever  before.  In  consequence  of  the  representations 
and  appeals  made  at  that  juncture  the  Union  passed  several 
resolutions  favoring  an  invitation  to  its  membership  of  any 
Congregational  pastors  in  sympathy  with  our  theological  senti- 
ments. Up  to  this  time  the  Pastoral  Union  embraced  few 
ministers  not  living  in  Connecticut.  At  present  a  considerable 
number  from  other  states  are  enrolled  among  its  members. 
The  first  accession  from  Massachusetts  rendered  much  assist- 
ance in  the  removal  to  Hartford,  but,  subsequently  less  aid  than 
was  expected  came  from  that  particular  band  of  allies.  By 
more  than  one  of  their  number  it  was  confidently  affirmed  that, 
if  a  pastor  in  eastern  Massachusetts  were  elected  to  a  professor- 
ship in  the  Seminary,  funds  would  be  supplied  from  that 
quarter  for  his  salary.  The  election  was  made  but  no  funds 
came  from  "  Boston  and  vicinity."  To  meet  the  embarrassment 
that  ensued  our  steadfast  patron,  Mr.  James  B.  Hosmer,  gave 
fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  support  of  the  new  Massachu- 
setts Professor.  That  the  receipts  of  the  treasury  might 
equal  its  expenditures  Mr.  Hosmer  had  been  accustomed  as 
treasurer  to  make  good  the  annual  deficits  from  his  own 
resources,  but  in  view  of  the  circumstances  this  gift  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars  revealed  a  magnanimity  of  character  not  less 
worthy  of  record  than  the  still  larger  donations  reserved  for  a 
later  day.  While  the  Seminary  was  adjusting  itself  to  its 
new  surroundings  schemes  for  its  amalgamation  with  two 
western  seminaries  were  set  on  foot.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
National  Council  in  Oberlin  in  1871  an  effort  was  made  to 
enlist  the  moral  support  of  that  body  in  carrying  out  this  pol- 


34 

icy.  A  series  of  resolutions  was  offered,  one  of  which  read 
as  follows :  "  That  we  recognize  thankfully  the  valuable  ser- 
vice which  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Hartford  has  done  in 
the  past  and  that  we  heartily  commend  its  system  of  instruc- 
tion, but  in  view  of  the  fact  that  two  institutions  of  a  similar 
character  are  no  longer  needed  in  close  proximity  to  each 
other  its  consolidation  with  one  of  the  western  seminaries, 
if  such  a  measure  be  practicable,  would  be  viewed  with  satis- 
faction by  our  churches,  and  would,  we  believe,  greatly  enlarge 
its  sphere  of  usefulness."  From  another  western  institution 
a  proposal  was  made  to  receive  us,  doctrines,  funds,  teachers 
and  all.  From  still  another  quarter  came  indefinite  overtures 
of  the  same  kind.  Certainly  the  proposed  method  of  dis- 
patching a  troublesome  life  was  more  adroit,  if  it  proved  no 
more  successful,  than  the  somewhat  violent  one  encountered 
in  its  infancy.  Its  persistence,  however,  and  symptoms  of 
fresh  vigor  in  its  new  home  were  accepted  at  length  as  provi- 
dential signs  that  it  had  a  mission  of  fts  own  this  side  the 
Allegheny  Mountains.  The  sixth  and  last  attempt  to  put  an 
end  to  the  independent  existence  of  the  Institute  took  the 
form  of  an  anonymous  pamphlet  entitled,  "  Can  it  be  done?" 
E"o  intelligent  reader  of  the  document  could  doubt  its  author- 
ship or  the  plausibility  of  its  reasoning.  In  point  of  time  it 
had  the  advantage  of  appearing  while  we  occupied  hired 
dwelling  houses  on  Prospect  Street,  not  altogether  adapted  to 
our  use,  and  suggestive  of  a  second  migration.  The  dis- 
tinguished writer  of  the  missive  sent  it  to  each  Congregational 
minister  in  Connecticut,  not,  he  says,  "  with  any  purpose  of 
introducing  a  public  discussion  of  the  subject  or  expecting 
that  its  suggestions  would  be  at  once  unanimously  approved, 
but  %  with  the  hope  that  in  due  season  they  would  bear  some 
fruit."  The  chief  obstacle  which  he  foresaw  in  the  way  of 
merging  our  Seminary  in  that  at  New  Haven  lay  in  the  sub- 
scription to  our  creed,  but  he  fondly  hoped  that  a  rigorous 
exactness  would  not  be  insisted  upon,  so  that  the  formulary 
could  be  adopted  by  all  who  recognize  in  a  general  way  the 
doctrines  common  to  the  various  Protestant  confessions.  He 


35 

presents  the  form  of  a  compact  intended  to  secure  the  rights 
and  endowments  of  both  institutions. 

MY  COLLEAGUES. 

At  first  and  for  several  years  there  were  but  three  profes- 
sors. Dr.  Tyler  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  studied  his 
profession  with  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker  of  Goshen,  and  was  pastor 
in  Middlebury,  Conn.,  till  called  to  the  presidency  of  Dart- 
mouth College.  On  resigning  that  post  he  succeeded  Dr. 
Edward  Payson  as  pastor  at  Portland,  and  in  1834  was  chosen 
Professor  of  Theology  in  our  seminary.  His  literary  and 
professional  attainments  were  about  the  same  as  those  of  Dr. 
Ebenezer  Porter  of  Andover,  Dr.  Humphrey,  President  of 
Arnherst  College,  and  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher.  Our  records  speak 
none  too  highly  of  his  great  worth  and  valuable  services. 
His  clear,  logical  method  in  argument,  "his  sound  judgment, 
his  love  of  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  his  eminent 
ability  to  teach  and  defend  them,  his  warm,  devoted,  and 
uniform  piety,  the  generosity  of  his  heart,  and  the  urbanity  of 
his  manner,  admirably  qualified  him  for  his  office."  It  was 
well  said  that  "  the  success  of  the  Institute  in  its  early  strug- 
gles was  in  no  small  measure  to  be  ascribed  under  God  to  his 
hopeful  spirit,  his  unwavering  faith,  his  firmness  and  courage, 
his  untiring  and  unselfish  efforts."  I  labored  with  him  as  a 
son  with  a  father  from  1834  to  1858.  The  native  kindness  of 
his  disposition,  his  self-control  and  practical  wisdom  made  him 
a  delightful  companion,  while  he  was  facile  princeps  among 
the  guardians  and  teachers  of  the  Seminary. 

Dr.  Jonathan  Cogswell,  our  first  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  preached  some 
years  in  Saco,  Maine,  and  when  the  Institute  was  founded,  was 
pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  New  Britain.  A  legacy  from 
his  brother  in  New  York  enabled  him  to  tender  his  services 
to  the  trustees  without  cost  to  the  Seminary.  His  generosity 
and  good  nature  checked  the  adverse  criticisms  to  which  his 
professional  services  were  sometimes  liable. 

From  its  commencement  Dr.  Asahel  Nettleton  held  a  semi- 
official relation  to  the  Institute.  Owing  to  precarious  health 


36 

he  spent  the  winter  months  in  Virginia,  where  he  had  labored 
in  revivals  with  signal  success.  As  an  inmate  of  my  family 
for  several  months,  always  considerate  of  the  feelings  and 
welfare  of  those  about  him,  by  the  serenity  of  his  countenance, 
his  animated  and  instructive  conversation,  and  by  his  entire 
deportment,  so  humble,  gentle,  and  in  every  way  magnetic,  he 
won  our  profound  respect  and  ardent  affection.  In  spite  of  the 
deep  sand  through  which  the  road  lay  from  Hartford  to  East 
Windsor  Hill  many  an  old  friend  found  his  way  to  Dr.  Nettle- 
ton's  residence  to  renew  personal  friendships  or  to  confer  with 
him  relative  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  At  the  time  when  he 
was  attacked  by  the  malady  of  which  he  died  after  protracted 
sufferings,  he  was  living  with  his  brother  -a  short  distance 
from  the  Seminary.  His  familiar  lectures  to  the  students  on 
revivals  so  long  as  he  was  able  to  meet  them,  as  well  as  his 
occasional  sermons  in  the  Chapel,  were  highly  valued. 
Students  of  that  day  will  never  forget  his  visits  at  their 
rooms  for  conversation  on  spiritual  themes  usually  closing 
with  prayer.  With  the  avails  of  Village  Hymns  he  had 
bought  a  house  and  farm  at  East  Windsor  Hill  for  the  use  of 
an  indigent  brother  with  whom  he  planned  to  spend  the 
evening  of  life.  Almost  daily  visits  for  more  than  a  year,  and 
at  least  a  score  of  nights  of  watching  at  his  bedside,  justify  the 
testimony  now  given,  that  neither  racking  pains  nor  nameless 
social  trials,  from  which  a  sensitive  nature  shrinks,  extorted 
from  his  lips  a  word  of  complaint.  In  the  last  fiery  ordeal 
the  Christian  graces,  so  conspicuous  in  the  prime  of  his  public 
life,  shone  with  unwonted  lustre. 

Dr.  Nahum  Gale,  who  succeeded  Dr.  Cogswell  in  the  chair 
of  Ecclesiastical  History,  was  much  younger  than  either  of 
my  other  colleagues.  He  had  been  at  the  Institute  as  a 
pupil,  and  came  to  his  office  from  a  thriving  pastorate  in 
Ware,  Mass.  After  two  or  three  years  Professor  Gale  became 
doubtful  of  the  continuance  of  the  Seminary  and  accepted  an 
invitation  to  settle  as  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Lee,  Mass., 
where  he  labored  successfully  till  his  death. 

In  1844  Dr.  Edward  Hooker,  then  pastor  in  Bennington, 
Vt.,  was  elected  Professor  of  Homiletics  and  Pastoral  Duty, 


37 

and  continued  in  office  four  years.  He  was  a  greatgrandson 
of  President  Edwards,  and  a  son  of  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker  of 
Goshen,  with  whom  Dr.  Tyler  and  other  useful  ministers  had 
studied  theology  near  the  beginning  of  the  present  century, 
before  the  Seminary  at  Andover  was  founded.  The  families 
of  Drs.  Tyler  and  Hooker  formed  a  group  exceptionally 
amiable  and  refined.  Dr.  Hooker  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
affectionate  sympathy  of  his  brethren  and  pupils  in  his  labors 
and  repeated  afflictions.  He  served  with  conscientious  fidelity 
in  his  appointed  sphere,  but  his  partiality  for  the  pastoral 
office  led  to  his  resignation  at  the  end  of  four  years. 

Our  third  Professor  of  Church  History  was  Rev.  Dr. 
Edward  A.  Lawrence.  Since  his  recent  death  his  talents, 
scholarship,  and  character  have  called  out  warm  and  discrimi- 
nating eulogies  from  those  who  knew  little  of  his  work  with 
us.  Before  he  came  to  the  Seminary  and  during  the  twenty 
years  after  he  withdrew  from  it  he  impressed  all  who  knew 
him  with  the  accuracy,  thoroughness,  and  extent  of  his  knowl- 
edge, the  firmness  of  his  convictions,  his  courtesy,  fairness, 
and  candor ;  his  modesty,  gentleness,  and  fidelity  to  every 
trust.  His  uniform  serenity  and  self-poise  under  sore  provo- 
cations were  among  the  many  proofs  that  he  held  frequent 
communion  with  his  divine  Master.  To  his  yearning  spirit 
heaven  seemed  more  and  more  but  another  name  for  uninter- 
rupted and  eternal  fellowship  with  his  Lord. 

"  There  is  a  sight  from  men  concealed ; 
That  sight,  the  face  of  God  revealed, 
Shall  bless  the  pure  in  heart." 

Of  my  eight  colleagues  who  have  finished  their  course, 
only  one  more  will  be  named  in  this  sketch.  To  the  citizens 
of  Hartford  Dr.  Robert  G.  Yermilye  was  better  known  than 
either  of  my  associates  of  whom  mention  has  been  made. 
When  the  Institution  came  to  this  city  in  1865,  he  was  one 
of  the  two  Professors  constituting  the  faculty.  That  trying 
period  of  our  history  brought  into  clear  light  the  noble 
qualities  of  his  character.  But  want  of  time  forbids  more 
than  a  dance  at  his  characteristics.  For  Christian  integrity 


38 

and  kindness,  unswerving  loyalty  to  Gospel  truth  with  fair- 
ness to  opponents,  for  refined  dignity  on  public  occasions 
and  in  the  ordinary  intercourse  of  life,  for  the  rare  union  of 
qualities  denoted  by  the  true  friend,  the  Christian  gentleman, 
the  able  divine,  the  accomplished  teacher  and  preacher,  both 
the  pupils  and  colleagues  of  Dr.  Termilye  will  cherish  his 
memory  with  affection  and  respect. 

Among  the  founders  and  devoted  friends  of  the  Seminary 
Rev.  George  A.  Calhoun  deserves  to  be  held  in  grateful 
remembrance.  For  more  than  forty  years  pastor  in  North 
Coventry  he  acquired  an  enviable  reputation  both  among  his 
own  people  and  the  churches  of  the  state.  His  good  judg- 
ment, his  intelligent  apprehension  of  the  issues  involved  in 
the  discussions  raised  by  the  New  Haven  divines,  his  chari- 
table temper  and  prudent  speech  qualified  him  for  the  prom- 
inent position  long  held  as  trustee  of  the  Institute.  To  him 
specially  fell  the  task  of  collecting  in  small  sums  the  funds 
to  meet  current  expenses  before  endowments  were  provided. 
His  tall,  well-proportioned  figure,  the  benignant  seriousness 
of  his  countenance,  his  slow  movements  and  deliberate  speech 
invited  the  confidence  and  respect  felt  by  all  who  knew  him. 
His  influence,  it  is  believed,  secured  an  early  appropriation, 
repeated  annually  while  he  lived,  by  the  trustees  of  the  Hale 
Donation  in  aid  of  our  students.  Very  few  of  them  were 
able  to  defray  current  expenses  from  their  own  funds,  and  the 
Hale  charity  was  eminently  opportune.  The  whole  amount 
received  from  that  source  and  appropriated  to  reduce  the  cost 
of  board  is  found  to  be  $12,310. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  men  connected  with  the  early 
history  of  the  Institute  was  Nathaniel  Hewitt,  D.D.  At 
the  time  of  its  organization  he  was  pastor  of  a  church  in 
Bridgeport.  Some  years  before  that  his  name  had  become 
familiar  to  the  country  as  the  "Apostle  of  Temperance." 
His  overwhelming  assaults  on  the  drinking  usages  of  those 
days  made  him  famous  in  1827,  but  his  power  as  a  pulpit 
orator  had  already  achieved  signal  results  in  Fairfield.  In 
any  assembly  he  would  impress  a  casual  observer  as  an 
uncommon  man.  His  massive  form  crowned  with  an  impe- 


39 

rial  head,  his  features  bearing  the  stamp  of  a  lofty,  deter- 
mined spirit,  his  voice  equally  suited  to  the  son  of  thunder 
and  the  son  of  consolation,  were  a  part  of  his  rare  native 
gifts.  With  the  traits  that  command  admiration  and  respect 
were  united  others  of  a  gentler  kind  that  won  the  warmest 
affection  of  intimate  companions.  In  his  better  frames,  even 
when  past  the  meridian  of  life,  his  conversational  powers 
fascinated  any  circle  of  youth  or  reverend  seniors.  As  a 
pastor  in  ministering  to  the  afflicted  and  such  as  were 
oppressed  with  spiritual  trouble  his  sympathy  and  skill  were 
as  noteworthy  as  the  stronger  features  of  his  character  on 
public  occasions.  Dr.  Hewitt's  theological  convictions  were 
entwined  indissolubly  with  his  personal  religious  experience. 
Deep  consciousness  of  sin  and  assurance  of  salvation  through 
the  expiatory  sufferings  of  Christ  made  it  easy  for  him  to 
accept  the  distinctive  teachings  of  the  New  Testament  and 
impelled  him  to  preach  and  defend  them  most  loyally. 
No  one  probably  had  more  influence  than  Dr.  Hewitt  in 
the  establishment  of  our  Seminary,  and  for  several  years  he 
labored  earnestly  for  its  welfare.  Always  punctual  in  his 
attendance  at  the  anniversaries,  and  not  an  infrequent  visitor 
at  other  times,  the  family  that  secured  him  for  a  guest  or 
even  at  a  dinner  was  deemed  fortunate. 

For  thirty-three  years  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Elisha  Lord 
Cleveland  in  New  Haven  was  coincident  with  the  life  of  the 
Seminary  at  East  Windsor.  As  a  trustee,  he  was  identified 
with  it  for  about  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  in  the  fellowship 
of  long-continued  trials  for  conscience  sake,  mutual  sympathy 
bound  us  very  closely  together.  It  was  natural  that  the  young- 
est teacher  in  the  Institute  and  its  youngest  trustee  should  be 
on  the  most  intimate  terms.  Classmates  at  Andover,  of  the 
same  age,  favored  with  similar  home-training  in  early  life, 
traditionally  and  experimentally  partial  to  the  faith  of  the 
primitive  churches  held  by  our  fathers,  we  could  not  differ 
widely  respecting  theological  novelties  that  startled  and  dis- 
tressed reverent  students  of  the  divine  Word.  Dr.  Cleve- 
land went  to  New  Haven  after  graduating  at  Andover 
for  the  purpose  of  gaining  such  additional  preparation 


40 

for  the  work  of  the  ministry  as  the  eminent  teacher  in 
the  theological  department  of  Yale  College  might  afford. 
Soon  called  by  the  Third  Church  to  become  its  pastor,  he 
took  a  firm  stand  in  relation  to  the  doctrinal  controversy  then 
at  its  height.  His  church  and  congregation,  neither  rich  nor 
numerous  at  the  time  of  his  settlement,  were  deeply  in  debt 
for  their  place  of  worship.  The  creditors,  displeased  with  the 
doctrinal  views  set  forth  by  the  young  pastor,  pressed  their 
claim  so  vigorously  that  he  with  his  little  flock  that  clung  to 
him  retired  to  an  obscure  hall.  A  feeble  band  despised  by 
the  world,  they  went  forth  from  their  house  of  worship  wel- 
coming the  reproach  and  embarrassment  sure  to  follow. 
Fidelity  to  the  principles  he  had  avowed  and  taught  seemed 
to  require  that  the  pastor  should  face  any  trial  that  the  Mas- 
ter might  appoint  him  when  called  to  act  so  conspicuously  as 
the  representative  of  a  conservative  theology.  "  He  cast  his 
lot  with  poverty,  odium,  and  the  inevitable  loss  for  a  period 
of  public  and  social  position  in  the  cultivated  circles  of  a  lit- 
erary and  ecclesiastical  center,  in  which  he  had  been  a  favor- 
ite, and  which  he  was  so  well  fitted  to  grace  and  enjoy." 
At  length  the  little  baud  that  worshiped  in  a  hall  became 
a  large,  wealthy,  and  intelligent  congregation.  Their  hall 
was  exchanged  first  for  the  lecture-room  kindly  offered  them 
by  the  Center  Church,  then  for  a  new  church  edifice,  attract- 
ive and  commodious,  and  at  last  for  the  stately  and  beautiful 
temple  which  now  adorns  a  central  locality  in  the  City  of 
Elms.  From  a  mere  pittance  the  pastor's  salary  became  the 
most  liberal  in  the  city.  "  He  was  sought  to  officiate  on  high 
public  occasions."  "  His  voice  was  heard  more  impressive 
and  effective  than  any  other,"  says  Dr.  Bacon,  "  in  the  great 
assembly  of  citizens  that  was  convened  at  New  Haven  to 
pledge  their  support  to  the  imperiled  government."  "In 
aid  of  his  inward  resources  and  endowments  for  high 
oratory  and  eloquence  came  all  that  richness,  pathos,  and 
melody  of  voice,  so  familiar  to  his  congregation.  There  was 
his  broad,  yet  not  disproportioned  frame,  his  face  of  singular 
beauty  and  strength,  his  deep-set  eye,  instinct  with  intelli- 
gence, at  times  almost  hidden  under  his  massive,  overhanging 


41 

brow,  often  and  not  unjustly  likened  to  Daniel  Webster's ; 
the  whole  so  apt  to  be  lighted  up  by  that  smile  which  loved 
to  play  upon  his  lips,  and  which,  if  less  than  seraphic,  often 
seemed  more  than  human."  Time  permits  only  the  bare 
mention  of  his  executive  ability,  prudence,  firmness,  the  amia-  * 
bility  of  his  temper,  the  wisdom,  gentleness,  and  benignity, 
which  shed  such  a  radiance  over  his  own  home  and  made  him 
so  welcome  in  the  families  of  his  parishioners. 

Not  by  way  of  complaint,  but  as  an  instance  of  the  limita- 
tions under  which  the  interior  work  of  the  Institute  was  car- 
ried on,  a  glance  is  due  at  a  single  personal  experience  for  a 
considerable  period  from  the  year  1834.  Lack  of  funds  and 
possibly  defective  views  of  what  is  implied  in  the  phrase 
Biblical  Literature  may  explain  the  fact  that  one  individual 
was  made  responsible  for  all  the  teaching  furnished  the  stu- 
dents in  the  exegesis  both  of  the  Old  Testament  and  the  New. 
By  general  consent  first-rate  scholarship  and  leisurely  train- 
ing are  indispensable  requisites  for  success  in  either  of  these 
branches.  Everybody  would  now  say,  if  you  would  over- 
whelm the  teacher  and  inflict  an  irreparable  injury  on  his 
scholars,  give  him  both.  To  my  gray-haired  pupils  now 
before  me,  who  must  have  often  lamented  the  poor  quality  of 
their  exegetical  instruction  at  East  Windsor  Hill,  I  can  only 
say  the  fault  was  not  wholly  mine.  It  is  also  remembered 
that  the  Professor  of  Hebrew  and  Greek  was  not  at  liberty  to 
give  his  undivided  strength  to  the  work  officially  assigned 
him.  At  an  early  day  a  church  was  organized  in  the  Semi- 
nary, which  was  located  two  miles  from  any  place  of  worship, 
and  two  sermons  were  preached  in  the  chapel  every  Sabbath. 
The  service  came  to  each  of  the  Professors  once  in  three 
weeks.  Two  of  them  had  been  pastors  more  than  a  score  of 
years,  the  third  just  one  year.  The  inevitable  effect  of  this 
arrangement  need  not  be  described.  Another  little  drawback 
should  be  mentioned.  Among  the  extra  official  duties  not  to 
be  evaded  was  the  superintendence  of  rhetorical  exercises 
and  the  correction  of  one-third  of  the  sermons  required  from 
members  of  the  senior  class.  At  a  later  day  the  department 

6 


42 

of  Church  History  became  vacant.  With  the  help  of  text- 
books the  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  served  for  a  time 
as  a  proxy.  A  little  further  on,  when  the  health  of  the 
theological  Professor  broke  down,  the  man  of  all  work,  now 
no  longer  young,  was  requested  to  take  up  for  a  time  a  part 
of  the  burden  which  had  fallen  from  Dr.  Vermilye's  hands. 
Two  prizes  of  sixty  dollars  each  were  offered  about  the 
year  1858  to  members  of  the  middle  and  senior  classes  who 
should  pass  the  best  examination  in  the  first  and  second  vol- 
umes of  Turrettin's  Theology.  No  member  of  the  faculty 
coveted  the  office  of  examiner  who  must  be  supposed  ready 
to  try  his  pupils  on  any  one  of  twelve  hundred  pages  of  eccle- 
siastical Latin.  A  majority  vote  of  the  professors  added  this 
to  the  other  multifarious  duties  of  the  Professor  of  Biblical 
Literature.  It  was  well  for  him  that  among  Mr.  Kingman's 
gifts  to  the  library  was  a  copy  of  Forcellmi  totius  Latinitatis 
Lexicon  in  four  royal  quarto  volumes.  Without  this  aid  he 
might  have  hesitated  one  time  to  examine  the  valedictorian  of 
his  class  at  Yale  College,  who  easily  won  the  Turrettin  prize. 
From  necessity  the  proper  division  of  labor,  if  theoretically 
acknowledged,  was  practically  postponed  to  a  recent  period 
in  our  history.  .If  one  "  thrust  himself  into  the  duties  or 
usurp  the  office  of  another,"  let  the  law  of  mutual  subservi- 
ency exact  a  fit  penalty.  But  if  the  foot  does  not  volunteer 
to  attempt  the  work  of  the  hand,  doing  the  ungracious  thing 
under  an  iron  necessity,  u  he  is  more  sinned  against  than  sin- 
ning." In  commenting  on  the  distribution  of  service  enjoined 
in  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans,  Chalmers  utters  a  protest 
against  the  modern  policy  of  the  church,  a  policy  not  unknown 
in  other  organizations.  "We  should  as  much  as  possible," 
he  says,  "  humor,  even  as  the  Spirit  Himself  does,  the  consti- 
tutional varieties  of  tastes  and  talent  among  in  en 

The  tendency  now  is  in  an  opposite  direction  and  each  has 

many  things  laid  upon  him What  makes  it  all  the 

more  ruinous  is,  that  rarely  indeed  is  one  man  eminent  in 
more  than  one  thing;  and  the  sure  way,  therefore,  of  degrad- 
ing him  from  eminence  to  mediocrity  is  to  bustle  and  belabor 
him  with  more  than  one  thing." 


43 

The  review  allotted  me  to-day  may  suitably  close  with  a 
reference  to  two  or  three  contrasts  fitted  to  inspire  with  grati- 
tude and  large  expectations  the  guardians  and  friends  of  our 
Seminary.  The  number  of  students  connected  with  the 
Institution  during  the  thirty  years  prior  to  its  removal  from 
East  Windsor  never  ran  higher  than  thirty- four.  Sometimes 
it  fell  much  lower.  Our  present  catalogue  contains  fifty-four 
names.  The  library  lias  grown  from  three  thousand  to  thirty- 
eight  thousand  volumes.  This  numerical  difference  is  fully 
equalled  by  the  difference  in  the  quality  of  our  literary  treasures. 
Less  than  two  thousand  dollars  was  laid  out  for  books  during 
our  first  three  decades.  To  our  earnest  plea  for  help  in  that 
direction  scarcely  a  faint  response  came  back.  At  length  a 
generous  patron  has  appeared  and  the  days  of  our  mourning 
are  ended.  His  name  will  be  held  in  lasting  and  grateful 
remembrance  by  a  long  succession  of  teachers  and  pupils. 
Another  mural  tablet  will  not  be  wanting  in  our  Hall  when 
he  is  taken  hence. 

In  one  particular  a  serious  loss  attended  our  removal  to 
this  city.  Instead  of  the  convenient,  well-lighted,  and  well- 
ventilated  rooms  at  the  old  home,  our  apartments  in  three 
dwelling-houses  in  Prospect  street,  and  for  a  time  in  a  fourth 
on  Main  street,  were  far  from  being  satisfactory.  Between 
the  fifteen  years  passed  in  such  quarters  and  the  last  five  in 
this  edifice  we  observe  another  step  in  our  onward  move- 
ment. Representatives  of  any  class  from  1834  to  1840,  who 
may  be  here  to-day,  must  remember  the  anniversary  occasions 
of  that  period.  The  lecture-room,  used  also  as  a  chapel, 
would  accommodate  besides  the  faculty,  students  ancl 
trustees  not  more  than  fifty  persons.  Addresses  by  members 
of  the  graduating  class  and  by  some  eminent  divine,  it  is  pre- 
sumed, were  heard  with  satisfaction  and  profit  by  all  present. 
Among  the  friends  of  the  Seminary  in  neighboring  towns 
were  some  excellent  singers  who  conducted  the  service  of 
song  at  these  annual  gatherings,  assisted  by  the  home  choir. 
On  one  occasion,  owing  probably  to  the  absence  of  outside 
helpers,  the  musical  part  of  the  entertainment  seemed  likely 
to  be  a  failure.  But  unexpected  help  was  at  hand.  A  young 


44 

man  from,  an  obscure  hill-town  had  found  his  way  into  the 
chapel.  He  had  enjoyed  such  advantages  for  the  cultivation 
of  music  as  the  village  singing  schools  of  that  day  afforded, 
and  seizing  the  opportunity  to  volunteer  a  solo  when  a  suit- 
able interval  occured,  he  sung  in  a  heavy  bass  voice  the  entire 
hymn  of  Mrs.  Hemans  on  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims. 
Over  against  that  performance  will  be  given  this  evening  the 
Oratorio  of  the  Messiah  ,by  the  Hosmer  Hall  Choral  Union. 

Financially  the  outlay  of  three  thousand  dollars  a  year  has 
grown,  probably,  to  seven  or  eight  times  that  sum,  and 
authority  given  at  first  to  hold  fifty  thousand  dollars'  worth 
of  property  now  covers  the  right  to  hold  twenty  times  this 
amount.  As  to  the  method  of  making  the  column  of  receipts 
tally  with  that  of  disbursements,  it  is  surmised  that  between 
our  present  treasurer  and  his  predecessor  it  would  not  be  easy 
to  picture  a  contrast.  Estimated  by  a  just  standard,  the  title 
of  collegiate  and  theological  institutions  to  public  confidence 
depends  on  their  teachers  far  more  than  on  their  material 
resources  and  accommodations.  The  advance  made  by  our 
Seminary  in  this  vital  matter  is  a  plain  token  of  "  the  good 
will  of  Him  that  dwelt  in  the  bush."  This  comparison  of 
then  and  now  should  embrace  one  more  feature.  The  sneers 
and  unscrupulous  censures,  leveled  at  our  Institute  in  its 
youth  and  its  long  struggle  with  poverty  and  weakness,  have 
largely  given  way  either  to  a  decent  silence  or  words  of  confi- 
dence and  cheer.  This  happy  change  is  distinctly  shown  also 
by  liberal  gifts,  increasing  sympathy  and  other  tokens  of 
regard  from  our  fellow-citizens,  which  we  trust  the  future  will 
more  and  more  justify. 

Only  in  rare  instances  is  one  permitted  to  look  back  and 
note  the  vicissitudes  of  an  enterprise  with  which  his  hopes  and 
toils  have  been  identified  for  half  a  century,  from  early  man- 
hood to  quite  beyond  three  score  years  and  ten.  Of  the  thirty- 
six  men  who  met  in  the  small  brick  school-house  at  East  Wind- 
sor fifty  years  ago  only  three  are  now  living.  Of  the  first 
board  of  trustees,  twenty-four  in  number,  not  one  remains. 
Of  the  eight  Professors  who  held  office  while  we  continued 
at  East  Windsor  Hill  I  am  the  only  one  left.  At  short  inter- 


45 

vals  the  names  on  our  Historical  Catalogue  are  marked  with 
the  lethal  star. 

But  the  Seminary  abides.  The  tree  transplanted  from  East 
Windsor  to  Prospect  and  from  Prospect  to  Broad  street 
without  being  killed  or  dwarfed  may  be  expected  to  outlive 
successive  generations  of  trustees,  professors,  and  pupils.  The 
badge  seen  on  the  walls  of  an  old  English  mansion,  long  occu- 
pied by  the  family  of  Moore,  is  the  mulberry  tree,  the  morus, 
and  the  legend  is,  "Morus  tarde  moriens,  morum  cito  moritur." 
The  mulberry  tree  is  slow  to  die ;  the  mulberry  fruit  dies  soon. 
Outside  of  our  city  and  of  our  commonwealth  friendly  eyes 
are  directed  to  this  seat  of  sacred  learning.  -If  we  hesitate  to 
credit  the  predictions  of  sanguine  coadjutors  who  have 
recently  espoused  our  cause,  yet  they  may  well  incite  us  to 
whole-hearted  endeavors  in  our  allotted  field.  When  devout, 
scholarly  interpretation  of  the  divine  Word,  based  on  ap- 
proved principles,  shall  fail  to  sanction  any  doctrine  here 
taught — when  theological  novelties  antagonistic  to  the  faith  of 
the  Christian  Church  for  ages  shall  have  vindicated  them- 
selves in  personal  purity  and  spiritual  fruitfulness  hitherto 
unknown  or  rarely  witnessed — it  will  be  soon  enough  to  revise 
our  creed.  Tested  by  the  best  biblical  scholarship,  by  count- 
less individual  experiences  and  by  their  transforming,  elevat- 
ing power  on  domestic,  social,  and  national  life,  let  the  doc- 
trines which  we  hold  and  teach  ever  find  able  advocates  and 
cordial  friends  in  the  guardians  and  faculty  of  this  Institution. 

Our  Seminary  began  its  life  as  a  practical  protest  against 
what  were  deemed  unscriptural  sentiments.  Like  the  speckled 
bird  of  the  prophet,  "  the  birds  round  about  were  against 
her."  If  others  judge  that  the  time  has  come  to  exchange 
signals  with  those  who  deny  the  supreme  authority  of  the 
Scriptures,  the  expiatory  nature  of  Christ's  death,  and  the 
endless  punishment  of  those  who  die  impenitent,  let  us  incur 
a  fresh  storm  of  obloquy,  if  need  be,  and  welcome  double  the 
distresses  of  past  years  rather  than  prove  disloyal  to  the  faith- 
ful and  true  Witness.  Should  some  ingenious  rationalistic 
speculator  attempt  to  use  our 'consecrated  funds  for  purposes 
alien  to  the  views  inculcated  here  for  the  last  half  century, 


46 

let  the  memory  of  Tyler  and  Nettleton,  of  Atwater,  Calhoun, 
and  Hosmer  rouse  their  official  successors  to  the  fearless  dis- 
charge of  their  sacred  trust.  If  the  gratified  sentiment  that 
pervades  our  present  convocation  is  shared  by  invisible  spec- 
tators, let  us  hope  that  the  enlarged  cloud  of  witnesses  at  our 
next  jubilee  may  rejoice  that  the  Hartford  Theological  Semi- 
nary is  permitted  to  bear  a  humble  part  in  whatever  service 
may  be  needful  at  that  brighter  day  to  complete  the  triumph 
of  Christ  our  Lord.  Mindful  of  the  perils  that  beset  all  human 
organizations  we  will  rely  on  the  guardianship  of  Him  who 
has  been  our  helper  in  all  the  checkered  history  of  the  past. 
"  The  Lord  our  »God  be  with  us  as  He  was  with  our  fathers  ; 
let  Him  not  leave  us  nor  forsake  us ;  that  He  may  incline  our 
hearts  unto  Him,  to  walk  in  all  His  ways,  and  to  keep  His 
commandments,  and  His  statutes,  and  His  judgments  which 
He  commanded  our  fathers,"  to  Whom  be  glory  and  honor, 
thanksgiving  and  praise. 


Bennett  Tyler,   D.D. 

BY  REV.  LAVALETTE  PERRIN,  D.  D. 


-I  have  been  requested  to  give  a  pen-picture  appropriate  to 
this  occasion  of  Rev.  Bennett  Tyler,  DD.,  as  he  stands  related 
to  the  work  of  this  Seminary,  and  to  polemic  theology  in 
New  England.  While  I  appreciate  the  complimentary 
courtesy  of  the  request,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  find  in  myself  any 
special  fitness  for  such  a  service,  unless  it  be  that  given  by 
the  opportunity  while  studying  theology,  and  during  the  early 
years  of  my  ministry,  to  observe  from  an  unbiased  stand-point, 
the  parties  to  a  vigorous  polemic  struggle  which  was  hap- 
pily issued  in  the  victory  of  both. 

If  it  had  been  required  of  my  now  sainted  mother,  whose 
relations  to  this  Institution  in  its  early  struggles  were  quite 
intimate,  to  characterize  Dr.  Tyler  as  a  man,  a  neighbor,  a 
minister,  a  preacher,  and  a  pastor,  I  am  sure  she  would  have 
done  it,  in  the  use  of  all  proper  terms  of  admiration  and 
eulogy,  in  the  superlative  degree.  And  to  her  estimate  I 
should  heartily  subscribe,  first  from  a  belief  that  no  more 
conscientious  and  competent  witness  could  be  called,  and  also 
because  a  limited  personal  acquaintance  gave  the  same 
testimony. 

This  service  does  not  require  the  expression  of  personal  or 
partisan  devotion.  Nor  should  this  occasion  be  used  for  the 
parade  of  fulsome  eulogy.  If  the  praise  wrought  so  often  into 
the  rhetoric  of  commemorative  discourse,  were  expressed  in 
loving,  helpful  fellowship  with  living  workers  in  their  toils 
and  trials,  death  might  sometimes  defer  his  advent  among 
them.  A  larger  charity,  and  a  more  sympathizing,  coopera- 
tive zeal  among  the  living,  will  serve  the  cause  of  the  Master 
better  than  incense  burned  upon  the  tombs  of  the  dead.  We 


48 

are  indeed  to  cherish  the  memory  of  the  just,  but  our  regard 
for  God's  servants  should  not  begin  at  their  graves.  It  is  a 
fault  of  our  times  that  living,  struggling  worth,  is  often 
lost  sight  of  in  the  shadow  of  departed  greatness,  real  or 
illusive. 

The  chief  value  of  commemorative  discourse  to  the  earnest 
Christain  worker,  is  in  the  aid  it  gives  him  for  the  study  of 
God's  providential  provision  for  the  spread  and  defense  of  the 
truth.  It  is  both  instructive  and  inspiring  to  observe  how, 
for  the  development  and  spread  of  His  Kingdom,  God  raises 
up  the  needed  human  agents  at  the  right  time.  Studied  in 
this  light,  the  biography  of  eminent  Christian  scholars  and 
workers  is  as  profitable  as  it  is  interesting.  In  this  light  let 
us  try  to  set  the  character  and  work  of  Dr.  Tyler. 

The  eighteenth  century  is  remarkable  for  certain  prepara- 
tory movements  and  provisions  for  the  wonderful  develop- 
ments of  the  nineteenth.  This  is  as  true  in  the  religious  as  it 
is  in  the  political  history  of  our  country  and  the  world.  As 
when  on  a  summer's  day  which  precedes  some  great  convul- 
sion of  nature,  the  skilled  observer  discerns  tokens  of  coming 
agitation  in  the  cast  of  the  sky,  the  state  of  the  atmosphere, 
and  the  fleecy  mists  that  rise  here  and  there,  so  in  the  religious 
aspect  of  the  New  England  churches  during  the  eighteenth 
century,  the  discriminating  observer  sees  a  divine  preparation 
for  that  signal  outcome  of  mental  and  spiritual  activity,  which 
has  given  us  two  flourishing  theological  seminaries  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  and  a  rapid  succession  of  new  depart- 
ures in  the  methods  and  matter  of  Christian  teaching. 

In  their  utter  rejection  of  the  petrified  forms  of  godliness, 
the  churches  in  the  middle  of  the  last  century  had  well-nigh 
lost  the  power  of  godliness,  which  always  requires  some  form 
for  its  proper  exercise  and  expression.  The  necessities  of  their 
case,  and  their  isolated  condition,  had  fostered  a  hard,  materi- 
alistic tendency  in  modes  of  thought,  and  the  theology  of  the 
times  had  little  power  to  stir  and  lift  the  soul.  The  logic  of 
the  intellect  had  so  crystalized  about  the  technics  of  the  day  as 
to  allow  no  exercise  for  the  rhetoric  of  the  feelings.  A  revo- 
lution was  to  be  effected  in  the  thought-systems  and  forms  of 


49 

the  New  England  churches.  The  raw,  cheerless,  dead  air  of 
a  necessitarian  philosophy  was  to  give  place  to  a  more  genial, 
life-inspiring  atmosphere.  Only  a  thunder-storm  that  should 
sweep  the  entire  realm  of  religious  thought,  and  leave  echoes 
and  reverberations  here  and  there  skirting  the  horizon  for 
long  years  to  come,  would  sift  its  deadly  elements  from  the 
moral  atmosphere,  and  give  it  moisture  and  vitalizing  energy. 
God  works  in  the  spiritual  world  as  truly  as  in  the  natural, 
by  laws  and  agents  adapted  to  the  end  in  view.  In  the  line 
of  this  thought  is  a  fact  worthy  of  our  special  notice  just  here. 
The  eighteenth  century  produced,  in  these  New  England 
churches,  a  number  of  stalwart  Christian  thinkers,  and  the  first 
half  of  the  present  century  was  marked  by  the  appearance  of 
just  that  conflict  of  opinion  which  is  incidental  to  real  progress, 
in  the  apprehension  of  spiritual  truth.  Without  naming 
others,  of  whom  there  were  many,  we  may  notice  six  eminent 
divines  who  may  be  said  to  have  prepared  the  way  for,  and 
contributed  largely  to,  that  battle  of  the  bishops  which  was  in 
progress  fifty  years  ago — called  by  one  writer  the  "  Connecti- 
cut Controversy,"  and  some  of  the  veterans  in  which  were  just 
resting  upon  their  laurels  when  I  entered  the  ministry.  Let 
me  name  them  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  and  do  not  fail  to 
observe  that  five  of  them  were  natives  of  our  little  State,  and 
the  sixth  did  his  life-work  in  it.  Jonathan  Edwards  was  born 
at  Windsor  in  1T03 ;  Joseph  Bellamy  at  New  Cheshire  in  1719 ; 
Samuel  Hopkins  at  Waterbury  in  1721 ;  Nathaniel  Emmons 
at  East  Haddam  in  1745 ;  Timothy  Dwight  at  Northampton 
in  1752 ;  and  Charles  G.  Finney  at  Warren  in  1792.  These 
names  are  as  household  words  in  the  discussions  and  Christ- 
ian activities  of  the  present  century.  Beginning  with  Jona- 
than Edwards,  who  wrestled  with  the  mighty  problem  of  sin 
and  salvation  while  teaching  savages  in  the  wilderness,  and 
closing  with  Charles  G.  Finney,  who  swept  the  broad  and 
barren  field  of  logical  skepticism  with  the  fire  of  a  new 
spiritual  life,  the  last  century  gave  birth  to  the  efficient  agents 
in  a  grand  movement  forward  and  upward  of  Christian 
thought  and  purpose. 

7 


50 

The  progress  has  been  slow,  and  some  of  the  steps  in  it  have 
seemed  for  a  time  to  be  backward  rather  than  forward,  but 
viewed  as  a  whole  the  trend  of  thought  and  feeling  has  been 
steadily  in  advance.  From  1750  to  1850  we  easily  trace  the 
steps  of  progress  toward  this  result,  and  this  Institution  is  an 
incidental  product  of  the  transition  process. 

Already  had  the  sturdy  logic  of  Edwards,  blended  with  the 
facile  rhetoric  of  D wight,  and  fired  with  the  fervor,  aggres- 
sive zeal  and  questioned  methods  of  Finney,  brought  on  an 
irrepressible  conflict  of  views  and  utterances,  when  I  first 
became  a  servant  of  the  churches.  A  host  of  Christian  cham- 
pions were  wrestling  with  the  new  thought-forms  which  the 
spirit  of  progress  demanded.  To  me,  then,  they  seemed  like 
giants,  and  I  doubt  not  they  were  honestly,  as  they  certainly 
were  earnestly,  contending  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints.  The  rank  and  file  of  our  Connecticut  ministers  recog- 
nized as  worthy  leaders  such  men  as  Dow  of  Thomson,  Yale 
of  New  Hartford,  Cleveland  of  New  Haven,  Hewett  of  Bridge- 
port, Calhoun  of  Coventry,  Nettleton  the  Evangelist,  and 
Perkins  of  West  Hartford,  who  did  not  fully  agree  with 
Porter  of  Farmington,  McEwen  of  New  London,  Goodrich  of 
New  Haven,  Bushnell  of  Hartford,  Bacon  of  New  Haven, 
and  Arms  of  Norwich,  in  the  choice  of  terms  and  methods  to 
be  used  in  their  work.  These  valiant  soldiers,  with  others  of 
equal  worth  and  ability,  too  numerous  to  name  in  this  brief 
sketch,  were  in  active  service  on  the  field,  when,  as  a  raw  recruit, 
I  entered  the  ranks  on  duty.  Noble  men  they  were,  loyal  to 
the  Master,  and  seeking  the  spread  of  truth,  but  having  gifts 
differing  and  seeing  the  truth  under  different  phases  or 
aspects,  it  quite  naturally  followed  that  some  of  the  words 
they  employed  were  not  fitly  chosen,  and  not  always  fitly 
spoken.  But  we  trust  they  have  all  now  entered  those  realms 
of  light  and  harmony,  where  they  see  as  they  are  seen  and 
know  as  they  are  known,  and  these  differences  by  which  they 
were  so  disturbed  in  the  flesh  have  melted  away  in  the  light 
and  warmth  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

We  have  thus  a  background  upon  which  to  set  the  picture 
of  Dr.  Tyler.  It  will  doubtless  seem  to  you  that  the  back- 


51 

ground  is  made  the  chief  feature  of  the  picture.  There  are 
two  reasons  for  this.  First,  the  face  itself  has  been  already 
drawn  in  his  published  memoir,  to  which,  as  a  portrait  of  the 
man  himself,  I  cannot  hope  to  add,  and  which  you  would  not 
wish  me  to  repeat.  And  secondly,  to  get  a  right  view  of  the 
man  we  must  see  him  as  he  was  encircled  by  the  earnest 
Christian  men  of  his  day,  intent  upon  what  seemed  to  them 
a  momentous  issue.  Upon  this  background  he  rises  before 
us,  the  central  figure  of  a  school  or  phalanx,  over  against 
whom,  in  a  like  aspect  of  leadership,  was  Dr.  Taylor  of  New 
Haven.  It  was  my  privilege  as  a  student  to  sit  at  the  feet  of 
both,  and  it  is  my  pleasure  fcere  to  express  a  high  admiration 
of  them,  as  able,  honest,  and  earnest  teachers  and  preachers 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  Differing  widely  in  mental 
structure  and  furniture,  each  possessed  a  special  fitness  for 
the  position  he  occupied  on  the  battle-field  of  the  hour.  Tak- 
ing their  observations  from  different  stand-points,  it  was  nat- ' 
ural  that  they  should  emphasize  different  truths,  and  different 
phases  of  the  same  truth.  It  brings  out  the  features  of  Dr. 
Tyler  more  minutely  to  mark  the  difference  between  the  two. 
In  both  there  is  reverence  for  the  truth,  and  zeal  in  proclaim- 
ing it.  In  one  it  is  reverence  for  the  truth  as  formulated  by 
the  fathers.  In  the  other  it  is  reverence  for  the  truth  as  per- 
sonally apprehended.  With  Dr.  Tyler  there  was  something 
valuable  in  old  associations.  He  loved  not  only  truth,  but 
the  familiar  dress  which  it  wore.  Besides,  he  was  distrustful 
of  human  speculations.  With  him  faith  had  no  need  of  phil- 
osophy as  a  voucher.  Not  what  man  can  comprehend,  but 
what  God  has  revealed,  was  with  him  the  ruling  question. 
Yet  he  would  retain  and  use  the  old  technical  terms  as  the 
signs  of  living  ideas,  not  as  the  monuments  of  dead  ones. 
Nor  would  he  allow  rhetorical  beauties  to  harden  into  logical 
perplexities.  To  know  and  teach  the  truth  as  revealed  in  the 
word  of  God  was  his  guiding,  purpose.  While  partial  to  the 
old  terms  and  methods,  he  was  not  blind  to  new  aspects  of 
truth  and  new  expressions  for  it.  Indeed,  so  kindly  did  he 
carry  himself  toward  any  improvement  in  this  respect,  that 
at  one  time  he  fell  under  the  suspicion  of  favoring  the  "  new 


52 

departure  "  of  his  day,  and  was  under  formal  surveillance  by 
certain  strict  constructionists,  as  tending  to  a  departure  from 
the  faith.  Nor  is  it  difficult  to  see  by  a  comparison  of  his 
earliest  with  his  latest  writings,  that  his  own  views  of  truth 
were  modified  and  enlarged  by  his  study  and  criticism  of  the 
views  of  others.  But  his  loyalty  to  the  word  of  God  was 
unfeigned  and  steadfast. 

With  our  canvas  and  its  background  thus  prepared,  if  we 
view  Dr.  Tyler  in  a  comparison  with  others, — say  Drs.  Tay- 
lor, Hewett,  Goodrich,  Calhoun,  and  Porter  of  Farmington, 
it  will  help  us  to  get  the  more  important  features  of  the  man. 
While  he  differed  from  each  of  tkese  in  character  as  a  whole, 
he  combined  their  leading  features  in  well-rounded  and  hap- 
pily-balanced harmony.  The  adventurous  assurance  of  Tay- 
lor ;  the  dictatorial  push  of  Hewett ;  the  quick  zeal  of  Good- 
rich ;  the  stern  conservatism  of  Calhoun ;  and  the  winning 
benevolence  of  Porter,  make  striking  personal  contrasts  when 
put  in  bold  relief  and  distinct  outline  upon  the  same  canvas. 
But  the  Divine  Artist  so  wrought  the  extremes  of  these  vir- 
tuous impulses  into  a  golden  mean  of  true  saintliness  in  the 
character  of  Dr.  Tyler,  that  his  face  alone  upon  the  picture 
gives  us  their  embodied  harmony.  This  happy  combination 
of  qualities  fitted  him  for  the  special  relation  in  which  he 
stood  to  this  institution,  and  to  the  churches  and  ministers  of 
his  time. 

As  a  man  he  was  well  furnished,  and  of  comprehensive 
affinities  for  all  the  relations  of  life.  The  well-ordered  Chris- 
tian family  was  to  him  an  earthly  paradise.  There,  in  all  the 
quiet  beauty  and  loveliness  of  chastened  piety,  he  scattered 
benedictions  and  was  refreshed  by  the  responses  of  love  and 
devotion.  Mild  and  loving  as  a  husband  and  father,  yet 
always  firm  for  the  right  at  the  home  altar;  kind,  cheerful, 
and  genial  as  a  companion,  a  friend,  a1  neighbor,  the  large- 
hearted  benevolence  written  upon  his  face  found  constant 
play  in  the  more  social  relations  of  life. 

As  a  pastor  he  was  impartial,  sympathetic,  and  tender  in 
all  required  ministries ;  as  a  preacher  he  was  always  instruc- 
tive, often  very  earnest,  and  sometimes  he  brought  a  magnetic 


53 

influence  to  bear  upon  the  attentive  hearer ;  as  a  reasoner  he 
was  methodical  rather  than  incisive,  and  sought  more  to  per- 
suade than  to  compel  men  to  believe ;  as  a  teacher  he  was 
winsome  and  helpful  in  developing  truth  rather  than  imperi- 
ous and  positive  in  stating  it.  In  form,  of  medium  height, 
with  broad  shoulders  and  full  chest ;  a  ruddy  face,  susceptible 
of  varied  expression ;  a  mild  eye  that  often  kindled  with  feel- 
ing, and  a  physique  noticeable  for  its  symmetry,  Dr.  Tyler 
stood  among  the  noble  Christian  workers  of  his  day,  the 
embodiment  of  qualities  and  powers  of  a  very  high  order. 
His  life-work  developed  in  happy  proportions  practical  theol- 
ogy working  through  practical  religion  for  the  salvation  of 
men. 

Dr.  Tyler  was  born  July  10,  1783,  in  Middlebury,  Conn. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  Yale  College,  and  was 
graduated  in  1804.  He  studied  theology  with  the  Eev.  Asa- 
hel  Hooker  of  Goshen,  was  licensed  by  the  Litchfield  North 
Association  in  1806,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church 
in  South  Britain,  June,  1808.  In  1822  he  was  elected  and 
made  president  of  Dartmouth  College.  In  1828  the  Second 
Church  in  Portland,  Me.,  invited  him  to  become  their  pastor, 
and  he  accepted  the  call.  When  this  institution  was  founded 
in  1834,  he  was  persuaded  to  give  it  his  services,  and  contin- 
ued at  the  head  of  it  until  1857,  when  he  resigned.  His  work 
was  nearly  done.  He  died  May  14,  1858.  The  manner  of 
his  death  is  thus  recorded  :  "  On  the  morning  of  Friday,  May 
14,  1858,  he  had  taken  his  usual  exercise  in  the  garden  of  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Greeley,  and  at  nine  o'clock  entered  the  house, 
saying,  i  I  have  finished  the  garden,  if  I  do  not  live  to  eat  of 
its  fruit.'  He  was  immediately  seized  with  a  neuralgic  affec- 
tion in  the  head  and  lungs,  from  which  he  suffered  exceed- 
ingly. He  could  not  be  moved  home.  His  wTife,  children, 
and  grand-children  gathered  round  the  bed  of  the  dying 
patriarch,  and  received  his  parting  counsels.  He  was  asked 
if  it  was  a  pleasant  thought  that  he  should  be  free  from  sin. 
He  replied,  '  It  is  the  pleasantest  thought  I  have ; '  then 
added,  with  characteristic  self-distrust,  '  But  O,  if  I  should  be 


54 

deceived  ! '  He  said  little  about  his  feelings  :  '  I  am  a  great 
sinner,  but  Christ  is  a  great  Saviour.'  'I  have  not  the  rav- 
ishing views  which  some  have  had,  but  I  enjoy  perfect  peace.' 
'  The  heart  is  very  deceitful,  but  I  trust  I  am  not  deceived  ; 
I  have  no  fear.'  At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  he  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus." 


Monograph  on  Dr.  Nettleton. 


ASAHEL  NETTLETON  was  born  in  North  Killingworth,  Conn., 
April  21,  1783,  of  humble  parents.  His  father,  a  farmer  in 
moderate  circumstances,  was  esteemed  and  respected  by  his 
neighbors.  Both  parents  were  professors  of  religion,  on  the 
Half-way  Covenant  plan  (i.  e.,  on  their  assent  to  the  covenant 
of  the  church — though  not  admitted  to  the  Lord's  table — 
they  were  permitted  to  present  their  child  for  baptism.) 
There  had  been  for  half  a  century  a  great  religious  dearth  in 
New  England.  But  now  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  poured 
out  in  a  copious  manner.  In  connection  with  a  published 
account  of  the  awakening  in  North  Killingworth,  the  cases 
of  two  or  three  converts,  as  described  by  themselves,  were 
printed,  and  Nettleton  was  one  of  them.  "  It  was  about  ten 
months  from  the  time  when  Mr.  Nettleton's  attention  was 
first  seriously  turned  to  the  subject  of  religion  before  he 
obtained  peace  in  believing.  "With  him,  what  the  old  divines 
termed  the  t  law  work]  was  deep  and  thorough.  This  pro- 
tracted season  of  conviction  gave  him  a  knowledge  of  the 
human  heart  which  few  possess,  and  which  was  doubtless 
intended  by  God  to  prepare  him  for  that  preeminent  success 
which  attended  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  Christ."  In  the 
year  1801  the  father  of  Mr.  Nettleton  died,  and  as  he  was  the 
oldest  son  the  care  of  the  family  devolved  on  him.  While 
expecting  to  spend  his  days  on  the  farm  his  mind  was  actively 
reflecting  upon  the  condition  of  lost  sinners  in  the  world. 
When  at  work  in  the  field,  he  would  often  say  to  himself,  "  If 
I  might  be  the  means  of  saving  one  soul,  I  should  prefer  it  to 
all  the  riches  and  honors  of  this  world."  He  would  frequently 
look  forward  to  eternity,  and  put  to  himself  the  question, 
"  What  shall  I  wish  I  had  done,  thousands  .and  millions  of 


56 

• 

years  hence  ? "  Samuel  J.  Mills  and  Asaliel  Nettleton  were 
born  on  the  same  day.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  their  new 
birth  occurred  very  nearly  at  the  same  time,  that  their  con- 
victions were  similar,  and  from  the  commencement  their  con- 
secration of  the  same  peculiar  cast.  Nettleton  resolved,  under 
the  strong  pressure  of  these  convictions,  to  seek  an  education. 
While  laboring  on  the  farm,  he  devoted  leisure  moments  to 
study,  reciting  occasionally  to  his  pastor,  in  the  winter  teach- 
ing school,  and  employing  his  evenings  on  studies  preparatory 
to  the  college  course.  Thus,  in  two  or  three  years,  he  accom- 
plished his  |>lan,  and  entered  the  Freshman  class  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, in  1805.  At  that  time  he  was  the  only  professor  of 
religion  in  his  class.  In  the  winter  of  1807-8,  a  revival  of 
religion  began  in  New  Haven  and  Yale  College.  He  was 
most  active  and  helpful,  and  especially  sought  for  by  those 
under  conviction,  for  his  experience  and  wise  counsels.  He 
believed,  that  sinners,  properly  speaking,  never  use,  but  always 
abuse  the  means  of  grace — that  in  all  their  efforts  to  escape 
future  misery  and  secure  future  happiness,  they  are  influenced 
by  unholy  motives,  and  that  their  services  are  mercenary  and 
sinful.  In  this  opinion,  which  to  him  appeared  to  be  clearly 
taught  in  the  Scripture,  he  was  greatly  confirmed  by  his  own 
religious  experience.  While  under  conviction  of  sin,  he  had 
such  discoveries  of  his  own  heart  as  to  impress  indelibly  upon 
his  mind  a  conviction  of  the  entire  sinfulness  of  the  religious ' 
services  of  un renewed  men.  There  was  no  one  point  in  the- 
ology on  which  his  mind  was  more  fully  established  than  this ; 
or  one  on  which  he  more  strenuously  insisted  during  his  life, 
both  in  the  pulpit,  and  in  his  conversation  with  awakened  sin- 
ners. He  considered  it  a  point  of  great  practical  importance, 
and  particularly  useful  in  destroying  the  self-righteous  hopes 
of  sinners,  and  in  showing  them  their  lost  condition,  and 
entire  dependence  on  the  grace  of  God.  This  was  a  weapon 
which  he  wielded  with  great  power,  and  which  seemed,  in  his 
hands,  preeminently  "  the  sword  of  the  Spirit." 

I  have  quoted  somewhat  at  length,  this  statement  of  his 
early  and  established  foundation  in  the  truth,  because  it  is  the 
key,  not  only  to  his  wonderful  mission  during  the  ensuing 


57 

twenty-five  years,  but  the  main  ground  upon  which  he  became 
so  strenuous  and  active  and  successful  in  laying  the  founda- 
tions of  this  School  of  the  Prophets  fifty  years  ago. 

During  the  junior  year  in  Yale  College,  Nettleton  became 
acquainted  with  Samuel  J.  Mills,  who  had  come  to  New 
Haven  for  an  interview  with  him,  having  heard  from  a  mutual 
friend  that  "  he  intended  never  to  be  settled,  but  to  be  a 
missionary  to  the  heathen."  They  compared  views  and  con- 
sulted together  concerning  their  future  work  in  Foreign 
Missions.  They  "entered  into  an  agreement  to  avoid  all 
entangling  alliances,  and  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
go  to  the  heathen,  whenever  God,  in  his  providence,  should 
prepare  the  way.  They  also  formed  the  purpose  of  meeting 
the  next  year  at  Andover,  and  while  pursuing  their  theolog- 
ical studies,  to  mature  their  plans  of  future  action.  This 
purpose,  Mr.  Nettleton  found  himself  under  the  painful 
necessity  of  abandoning,  on  account  of  a  debt  which  he  had 
contracted,  while  obtaining  his  education ;  and  which  he 
wished  to  discharge  as  soon  as  possible.  He  felt  the  disap- 
pointment deeply.  Soon  after  graduation  he  accepted  the 
office  of  butler  in  College,  held  it  for  a  year,  and  devoted 
what  leisure  time  he  could  command  to  theological  studies. 
After  that  he  put  himself  under  the  instructions  of  Rev. 
Bezaleel  Pinneo  of  Milford,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
licensed  to  preach,  by  New  Haven  West  Association,  May 
28,  1811. 

It  is  well  known  that  in  1810,  Messrs.  Judson,  Nott,  Mills, 
and  Newell,  at  that  time  members  of  Andover  Seminary, 
presented  themselves  before  the  General  Association  of  Mass. 
in  Bradford,  and  made  known  their  convictions  of  the  duty 
and  importance  of  personally  attempting  a  mission  to  the 
heathen,  and  requested  the  advice  of  the  Association,  and 
that  this  movement  led  to  the  formation  of  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions.  Had  Mr. 
Nettleton  fulfilled  his  plan  of  going  to  Andover,  doubtless 
he  would  have  been  one  of  that  company.  When  he  heard 
what  had  been  done,  he  lamented  with  tears  that  he  could 

8 


58 

not  have  been  there.  He  feared  that  Providence  thus  indi- 
cated that  he  should  not  enter  the  foreign  field.  He  still, 
however,  cherished  the  purpose,  and  did  not  abandon  wholly 
the  hope,  till  the  failure  of  his  health  in  1822.  After  his 
license  to  preach,  on  account  of  the  above  intention,  he 
declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  settlement  in  the  ministry,  and 
commenced  his  labors  in  some  waste  places  and  desolate  parts 
of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  His  labors  were  crowned  with  signal 
success.  Wherever  he  went  the  Spirit  of  God  seemed  to 
accompany  his  preaching.  His  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
seeing  these  extraordinary  results,  advised  him  to  delay  his 
purpose  of  leaving  the  country.  Acceding  to  this  advice,  it 
became  increasingly  apparent,  that  a  great  work  was  needed 
in  the  churches  at  home,  and  that  his  labors  as  evangelist 
were  especially  owned  of  God.  Accordingly  he  was  ordained 
as  an  evangelist  in  the  summer  of  1817,  by  the  South 
Association  of  Litchfield  County. 

"In  the  year  1820,  the  General  Association  of  Connecticut 
appointed  a  committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  subject 
of  increasing  ministerial  labor  in  the  several  congregations  of 
their  body.  They  invited  Mr.  Nettleton  to  meet  with  them, 
and  requested  his  opinion  as  to  the  expediency  of  introducing 
and  supporting  an  order  of  Evangelists.  He  gave  it,  as  his 
opinion,  that  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  introduce  and 
support  such  an  order.  He  foresaw  the  evils  that  would 
be  likely  to  grow  out  of  the  system,  if  it  were  made  per- 
manent, and  they  were  the  very  evils  which  afterwards  arose 
in  some  parts  of  the  country,  extending  their  baleful  influence 
to  the  present  time. 

From  1812  to  1822  Mr.  Nettleton  labored  in  revivals  in 
different  parts  of  this  State  and  often  in  waste  places,  with 
great  power  from  on  high,  and  with  the  result  of  the  conver- 
sion of  many  precious  souls.  An  account  of  his  work  written 
in  1817,  says,  "The  doctrines  taught  are  those  considered  as 
the  grand  leading  truths  of  the  Gospel,  viz. :  the  strict  spiritu- 
ality of  the  moral  law — the  total  depravity  of  the  natural 
heart — its  enmity  to  God — the  necessity  of  regeneration  by 
the  Holy  Spirit — an  entire  dependence  on  the  merits  of  Jesus 


59 

Christ,  for  justification,  pardon,  and  acceptance — our  obliga- 
tions to  own  Him  before  men,  and  to  manifest  our  faith  in 
Him  by  a  holy  walk  and  conversation — the  divine  sovereignty 
—the  electing  love  of  God — and  the  final  perseverance  of 
the  saints,  as  the  only  ground  of  the  sinner's  hope,  and  the 
anchor  for  the  Christian's  soul." 

Mr.  Nettleton  was  not  the  originator  of  the  measures 
resulting  in  the  formation  of  the  Pastoral  Union  of  Conn., 
and  the  establishment  of  this  Theological  Institute ;  but  he 
was  in  most  hearty  sympathy  with  the  purpose  of  the  founders, 
and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  doctrines  declared  as  the  basis 
of  agreement.  At  the  organization  he  was  appointed  Professor 
of  Pastoral  Duty,  but  chose  not  to  sustain  any  official  relation 
to  the  Institute  that  he  might  with  the  more  freedom  and  effect 
plead  its  cause.  It  may  be  well  to  note  at  this  point  the  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held  by  the  churches,  and  some  of  the  ablest 
representatives  of  the  Congregational  clergy  of  New  England. 
When,  in  1828,  slanderous  reports  were  circulated  about  him 
in  Virginia,  where  he  was  laboring,  on  account  of  his  faithful- 
ness and  convincing  power  in  preaching,  testimonials  vouch- 
ing for  his  character,  and  attesting  the  copious  abundance  of 
heavenly  blessings  upon  his  public  ministrations,  were  for- 
warded to  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Rice  of  that  State,  signed 
by  the  late  Dr.  Bacon  of  New  Haven,  Pres.  Day,  Profs. 
Taylor,  Goodrich,  and  Fitch  of  Yale  College.  In  the  year 
before,  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher,  then  of  Boston,  in  a  letter  to  the 
editor  of  the  Christian  Spectator,  says:  "Mr.  Nettleton  has 
served  God  and  his  generation  with  more  self-denial,  and 
wisdom,  and  success,  than  any  man  living.  I  witnessed  his 
commencement  and  know  his  progress,  and  the  relative  state 
of  things  in  Connecticut  especially,  and  what  (but  for  his 
influence  in  promoting  revivals,  and  exciting,  and  teaching 
by  example,  others  to  promote  them)  might  have  been  the 
condition  of  the  churches  in  those  days  of  revolution  through 
which  they  have  passed  ?  And  considering  how  far  his  knowl- 
edge and  influence  have  extended,  I  regard  him  as  beyond 
comparison,  the  greatest  benefactor  which  God  has  given  to 
this  nation.  Now  that  such  a  man  as  he  should  be  traduced, 


60 

and  exposed  to  all  manner  of  evil  falsely,  is  what  neither  my 
reason  nor  my  conscience,  nor  my  heart  will  endure.  And 
in  anticipation  of  the  attack  which  may  be,  and  probably 
will  be  made  on  him,  though  I  am  pressed  immeasurably 
with  the  warfare  here,  yet  sure  I  am  of  this,  that  so  long  as 
God  spares  my  life  and  powers,  there  is  one  man  certainly,  in 
New  England  (I  know  there  are  thousands)  who  will  consider 
that  in  defending  him,  he  defends  the  cause  in  one  of  its  most 
vital  points.  While  I  live  I  am  pledged  to  brother  Nettleton 
by  affection,  and  gratitude,  and  duty,  and  nothing  could 
grieve  or  alarm  me  more,  than  to  witness  in  New  England, 
any  flinching,  or  any  temporizing  in  respect  to  him."  Thus 
spake  Lyman  Beecher  in  Boston,  when  in  his  prime,  he  stood 
up  against  the  encroachments  and  speculations — then  practi- 
cally taking  form — in  this  suppressed  hostility  to  Mr.  Nettle- 
ton,  and  afterwards  formulated  into  a  system  philosophically 
undermining  the  doctrines  of  grace. 

His  views  on  some  points  of  theology,  that  were  spoken 
without  "bated  breath"  in  the  year  1834,  are  briefly  touched 
in  some  of  his  letters  at  that  time.  Speaking  of  a  certain 
class  of  divines  he  says :  "  They  admit  that  there  is  a  tendency, 
or  propensity  to  sin,  in  the  very  constitution  of  the  human 
mind,"  but  they  deny  that  this  tendency  is  sinful.  They  also 
admit  that  "  every  effect  must  have  a  cause,  and  that  this 
cause  must  be  prior  to  the  effect."  Now  I  observe  that  the 
objections  which  they  allege  against  the  views  of  their  oppo- 
nents, lie  equally  against  their  own.  It  will  be  no  easier  for 
the  sinner  to  repent  and  believe  against  this  propensity  to 
sin,  than  it  was  while  it  was  called  a  "  sinful  propensity." 
Changing  the  name  of  a  lion  into  that  of  a  lamb,  will  not 
alter  its  nature.  We  have  here  the  new  philosophy,  that  all 
trees  are  by  nature  alike,  neither  good  nor  bad,  until  they 
bear  fruit.  And  then  the  tree  is  not  good,  but  the  tree  is 
good  only  because  the  fruit  is  good,  and  vice  versa.  "  Make 
the  tree  good  and  the  fruit  will  be  good,"  said  our  Saviour, 
ufor  the  tree  is  known  by  the  fruit."  "  Make  the  fruit  good, 
and  the  fruit  will  be  good,"  says  the  new  philosophy,  "  for  the 
fruit  is  known  by  the  fruit.  Nothing  is  good  or  bad  but  th<j 


61 

fruit.     There  can  be  nothing  in  the  tree  itself  back  of  the 
fruit,  but  what  is  common  to  all  trees — ' pura  naturaliaS" 

"  On  the  whole,  their  views  of  depravity,  of  regeneration,  and 
of  the  mode  of  preaching  to  sinners,  I  think  cannot  fail  of 
doing  very  great  mischief.  This  exhibition  Overlooks  the 
most  alarming  feature  of  human  depravity,  and  the  very 
essence  of  experimental  religion.  It  is  directly  adapted  to 
prevent  sinners  from  coming  under  conviction  of  sin,  and  to 
make  them  think  well  of  themselves,  while  in  an  unregener- 
ate  state.  It  natters  others  with  the  delusion  that  they  may 
give,  or  have  given  their  hearts  to  God,  while  their  propensity 
to  sin  remains  in  all  its  strength.  Entertaining  this  delusion 
they  cannot  be  converted.  Every  sinner  under  deep  convic- 
tion of  sin,  knows  this  statement  to  be  false,  so  far  as  his  own 
experience  is  concerned."  "  Those  who  adopt  the  view  I  am 
considering,  exhort  the  sinner  to  do  that  only  which  leaves 
his  propensity  to  sin  in  all  its  strength.  Hence  conversions 
are  made  as  easy  as  you  can  turn  your  hand.  It  is  only  to 
resolve  and  the  work  is  done."  This  Seminary  was  founded, 
as  a  protest  against  these  views,  and  to  teach  a  Bibical 
theology.  The  writer  of  this  paper  can  attest  the  truth  of 
Dr.  Nettleton's  statement  above  quoted,  from  practical  exper- 
ience of  that,  mode  of  preaching.  The  instruction  was  clear 
and  plain,  and  even  when  instinctively  refused  by  a  rightly- 
trained  conscience,  yet  made  the  very  impression  above 
asserted.  The  practical  address  was :  "Young  men, you  wish 
to  be  Christains — go  read  your  Bibles,  go  and  pray,  go  and 
do  the  duty  of  a  Christian,  and  my  word  for  it,  you  are  a 
Christian."  Some,  alas,  many  it  is  to  be  feared,  from  the 
present  state  of  the  churches,  have  thus  entered  into  the 
house  of  God  on  earth,  while  knowing  nothing  of  their  own 
hearts,  and  still  less  of  Christ  as  their  sacrificial  substitute 
before  God  for  everything.  The  impression  then  received 
was  one  of  satisfaction,  in  thinking  that  any  time  I  chose,  I 
could  come  to  that  resolution,  and  then  the  Spirit  of  God 
would  put  forth  His  saving  influence.  As  Dr.  Nettleton  says 
in  another  letter,  I  was  taught  that  "  every  step  in  the  pro- 
gress of  conviction  and  conversion,  is  in  direct  opposition  to 


62 

these  sentiments."  The  men  who  advanced  these  new  views, 
and  as  they  thought  important  improvements  in  theology, 
were  brethren  beloved,  for  whom  he  felt  a  tender  regard, 
while  compelled  to  dissent  from  their  philosophical  specula- 
tions, on  what  he  held  as  the  most  vital  point  of  Scripture 
truth. 

A  large  part  of  the  time  during  his  illness,  tho'  enduring 
protracted  and  severe  sufferings,  his  mind  was  vigorous  and 
active.  His  resignation  and  patience  were  marvelous.  The 
Bible  was  the  man  of  his  counsel.  It  had  been  his  study  for 
forty  years.  His  Greek  Testament  and  Concordance,  were 
by  him  daily,  for  critical  study — as  the  Apostle  says  he  was 
"  expounding  spiritual  things  by  the  words  of  the  Spirit."  He 
often  stayed  at  my  father's  house  when  I  was  young,  and  his 
presence  was  like  the  sun  for  general  warmth  and  blessing. 
I  remember  one  morning,  as  I  sat  gazing  on  his  benevolent 
face,  which  seemed  to  light  up,  as  with  some  peculiar  radiance, 
he  turned  and  smiling  sweetly,  called  me  by  name,  and  said 
"God  commandeth  all  men,  every  where  now  to  repent." 
There  was  no  entreaty,  no  explanation,  but  with  the  words  j 
came  a  look,  a  meaning,  a  power,  that  have  not  left  my  con- 
science to  this  day.  It  was  one  of  the  very  first  indelible 
impressions  on  my  memory. 

His  happy  way  of  impressing  truth,  would  be  most  valuable 
in  this  day  of  open  scoffers  and  latent  skepticism,  or  perhaps 
one  should  say  "  mental  reservation  "  as  that  is  the  way  many 
creeds  are  digested.  Meeting  a  Universalist  who  wished  to 
discuss  "future  punishment,"  he  kindly  asked  him  to  state  his 
views,  so  that  he  could  think  them  over.  The  man  accord- 
ingly said,  in  his  opinion,  all  received  their  punishment  in 
this  life,  and  would  be  happy  after  death.  Dr.  N.  asked  him  to 
explain  certain  Scriptures,  as  Matt.  25th  and  others,  referring 
to  future  judgment,  and  suggesting  to  him  difficulties  for  him 
to  solve,  without  calling  in  question  any  of  his  positions.  He 
then  asked  him  if  he  believed  the  account  of  the  Deluge  and 
of  the  destruction  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  given  by  Moses 
in  the  Scriptures.  "  Certainly,"  he  replied.  "  It  seems  then," 
said  Dr.  N.,  "  that  the  world  was  very  corrupt,  and  God  deter- 


63 

mined  to  destroy  it  by  a  deluge.  He  sent  Noah  to  warn  the 
people.  They  would  not  believe  him,  and  the  flood  came, 
notwithstanding  their  unbelief,  and,  if  your  theory  be  true, 
swept  them  all  up  to  Heaven.  And  what  became  of  Noah, 
that  faithful  servant  of  God  ?  He  was  tossed  to  and  fro  on  the 
waters,  and  was  doomed  to  trials  and  suffering  for  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  longer  in  this  evil  world ;  whereas,  if  he 
had  been  wicked  enough,  he  might  have  gone  up  to  Heaven 
with  the  rest.  So  with  the  cities  of  the  plain."  After  making 
this  statement,  he  requested  the  man  tcf  reflect  on  these  things, 
and  bade  him  adieu.  A  Kestorationist  once  attacked  him, 
and  quoted  the  words  from  the  First  Epistle  of  Peter,  to  sup- 
port the  doctrine,  "  By  which,  He  also  went  and  preached  to 
the  spirits  in  prison."  Doctor  Nettleton  observed  to  him 
that  the  time  was  specified  in  the  next  verse,  when  Christ 
preached  to  these  spirits  in  prison.  It  was  "when  once  the 
long  suffering  of  God  waited  in  the  days  of  Noah."  It  was 
by  the  Spirit  which  dwelt  in  Noah,  that  he  preached  to  those 
who  are  now  spirits  in  prison.  u No, "said  the  man,  "that 
cannot  be  the  meaning  of  the  passage.  The  meaning  is,  that 
Christ,  after  His  crucifixion,  went  down  to  hell,  and  preached 
to  the  spirits  in  prison."  "  Be  it  so,"  said  Dr.  Nettleton,  "  what 
did  He  preach  ? "  "I  do  not  know,"  he  replied,  "  but  I  sup- 
pose He  preached  the  Gospel."  "  Do  you  think,"  said  Dr. 
Nettleton,  "that  He  preached  to  them  anything  different 
from  what  He  preached  on  earth  ? "  "  Certainly  not,"  said 
he.  "  Well,"  said  Dr.  Nettleton,  "  when  Christ  was  on  earth, 
He  told  sinners  that  if  they  should  be  cast  into  prison  they 
should  not  come  out  thence  till  they  had  paid  the  uttermost 
farthing.  If  He  went  down  to  hell  to  preach  to  the  lost 
spirits  there,  He  doubtless  told  them  '  You  must  remain  here 
till  you  have  suffered  all  that  your  sins  deserve.'  What 
influence  then  would  His  preaching  have,  towards  releasing 
them  from  the  place  of  torment  ? "  Dr  .Nettleton  thus  had 
amazing  power,  through  his  intimate  knowledge  of  the  human 
heart  in  its  enmity  against  God,  and  his  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  Person  of  God,  revealed  through  Christ  in  the 
Scriptures. 


64 

Thus  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  were 
abundantly  manifested  in  him.  His  humility  was  conspicu- 
ous. A  friend  who  knew  him  intimately  says :  "  He  was 
remarkably  free  from  the  love  of  applause.  When  any  one 
spoke  to  him  of  the  good  he  was  doing  he  would  sometimes, 
reply,  '  We  have  no  time  to  talk  about  that,'  and  frequently  I 
have  known  him  to  turn  pale  and  retire  from  the  company, 
and  prostrate  himself  before  God  as  a  great  and  unworthy 
sinner.'' 

His  meekness  was  rnanifest  to  all  who  knew  him.  He  bore 
afflictions  of  various  kinds,  the  most  from  those  who  were 
enemies  of  Christ,  and  who  were  exasperated  by  the  force  and 
pungency  of  his  preaching.  For  such  he  prayed  earnestly, 
and  not  a  few  were  brought  hopefully  to  repentance  and 
became  his  ardent  friends.  His  great  love  for  the  cardinal 
doctrines  of  grace  led  him  to  take  the  deepest  interest  in  this 
Seminary.  Its  establishment  is  largely  owing  to  the  seed 
sown  by  this  man  of  God,  in  the  country  congregations  of 
this  State,  and  his  intimate  relations  with  faithful  ministers 
for  many  years  previous  to  its  organization. 

We  cannot  better  close  this  imperfect  sketch  of  the  great 
evangelist,  so  honored  of  God  in  New  England,  and  to  whom 
this  Institute  is  so  much  indebted,  than  by  quoting  his  advice 
to  a  student  of  theology.  Writing  to  a  student  he  speaks  of 
the  theme  he  knew  the  best,  and  "  tho'  dead,  he  yet  speak- 
eth,"  and  his  words  of  wisdom  may  profit  us  all.  "  What  is 
the  best  mode  of  dealing  with  anxious  souls  ?  Much  may  be 
said  and  written  to  profit,  but  after  all  we  might  as  well  ask 
and  answer  the  question  c  What  is  the  best  method  of  treating 
all  manner  of  sicknesses,  and  all  manner  of  diseases  among 
the  people  ? '  We  may  talk  about  the  best  means  of  doing 
good,  but  after  all,  the  greatest  difficulty  lies  in  doing  it  with 
a  proper  spirit.  Speaking  the  truth  in  love.  In  meekness 
instructing  those  that  oppose  themselves.  With  the  meekness  and 
gentleness  of  Christ"  In  this  spirit  he  lived  and  wrought, 
greatly  honored  of  God.  His  work  ended  witli  his  life,  the 
16th  May,  IStt-i.  But  his  influence  and  power,  wrought  into 
other  lives  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  still  are  felt  in  the  churches 


65 

of  Connecticut,  New  York,  Massachusetts,  and  Virginia, 
where  he  helped  to  gather  in  the  spiritual  harvests. 

In  reviewing  the  life  of  this  wonderful  man  of  God,  we 
have  been  impressed  with  the  importance  and  results  of  his 
mission  among  the  churches,  in  its  relation  to  the  great  work 
of  Foreign  Missions.  Under  the  Spirit  of  God,  his  work  here 
for  the  production  of  a  new  type  of  Christian  character  seems 
to  have  been  as  essential  for  sustaining  missions  abroad,  as  the 
heroic  consecration  and  extraordinary  faith  of  the  pioneers 
themselves. 

We  have  traced,  in  a  desultory  way,  his  aptness  for  the  work 
of  educating  and  training  young  converts, — his  deep  and 
thorough  knowledge  of  Biblical  theology, —  his  connection 
with  the  beginnings  of  this  Seminary, — the  proof  of  his  wis- 
dom and  foresight, — in  the  results  seen  to-day,  of  the  specula- 
tions then  advanced,  as  needed  by  the  greater  enlightenment 
of  the  age  ; — his  thorough  conviction,  at  the  end  of  life,  of 
the  truth  of  the  principles  he  had  maintained  from  the  Word. 
In  all  this  life-work,  his  personal  bearing  and  grace  fitly  illus- 
trated the  true  spirit  of  the  Gospel — in  his  interest  for,  and 
friendly  advice,  to  students, — his  charity  and  urbanity  with 
opponents, — his  gifts  and  power  for  personal  application  of 
the  truth  to  the  individual  conscience,  as  well  as  his  supernat- 
ural power  in  the  use  of  the  Word  upon  public  assemblies. 

The  battle  for  truth  revealed,  supernatural,  and  divine,  is 
commencing  again,  on  virtually  the  same  old  grounds  of  the 
past,  but  with  a  change  in  the  disposition  of  the  forces,  and 
an  advance  of  lines  upon  the  very  citadel  of  God,  intimating 
the  nearness  of  a  great  crisis  !  The  progress  of  illumination 
to-day  assails  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  prac- 
tically reduces  it  to  the  judgment  of  the  human  will.  A 
half-century  since  the  human  will  only  claimed  power  to 
regenerate  itself.  Now  it  sits  in  judgment  on  the  Word  of 
God.  One  lesson  of  this  illustrious  life  is,  that  we  must 
maintain  the  absolute  authority  of  the  objective  revelation  of 
God,  through  his  Son,  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  to  that 
end,  the  plenary  verbal  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  in  every 


66 

word  and  letter  of  the  original  text.  Especially  from  the  testi- 
monies seen  in  this  life,  we  are  bound  to  maintain  the  full 
and  efficacious  office  of  the  Holy  Spirit  now  to  reveal  the  defi- 
nite provisions  of  the  atonement  of  Christ,  in  their  vicarious 
application  to  sinners  as  essential  to  any  integrity,  in  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  And  unless  sin  is  what  God  says  it 
is,  in  its  infinite  guilt  and  demerit,  and  deserving  of  what  He 
declares  it  deserves,  in  its  unending  purpose  and  final  restraint, 
we  have  no  use  for  any  Bible,  and  this  man,  and  all  the 
ancient  heroes  of  faith,  as  well  as  our  Blessed  Lord  Himself, 
have  lived  and  died  in  vain ! 


The  Biblical  Teaching  of  the  Seminary,  Its  distinctive 

Feature. 


It  is  not  a  new  thing  for  a  theological  seminary  to  claim  to 
be  Biblical  in  its  teaching.  Indeed,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it 
will  be  many  a  day  before  any  institution  of  the  kind  will  not 
claim  to  be  Biblical.  But  it  requires  scarcely  a  single  glance 
backward  in  history  to  discover  that  much  instruction  which 
was  once  called  Biblical  would  not  now  be  accepted  as  such. 
What  we  rejoice  over  on  this  glad  occasion,  is  the  fact  that 
this  institution,  in  its  genesis  and  its  exodus,  as  well  as  in  its 
present  land  of  promise,  has  rested,  and  does  rest  upon  the 
Word  of  God.  The  Bible  here  is  not  so  much  a  problem  as 
a  fact ;  or  better  still,  perhaps,  an  aggregation  of  facts.  The 
efforts  of  this  Seminary  are  not  mainly  expended  in  discuss- 
ing whether,  on  the  whole,  the  Bible  would  better  be  accepted 
or  not ;  or  what  eliminations  the  closing  nineteenth  century 
demands.  While  affording  the  fullest  opportunity  for  clear- 
ing the  atmosphere  around  such  inquiries,  it  is  no  part  of  the 
purpose  of  this  institution  to  take  anything  like  the  attitude 
of  dictation  regarding  the  divine  revelation,  or  to  sit  in  judg- 
ment upon  the  Word  of  God,  as  if  that  were  incomplete  with- 
out its  approval.  Hence  the  influence  of  the  instruction  here 
is  not  to  impress  the  pupil  that  the  Bible  is  beclouded  with  a 
mist  of  uncertainty,  which  it  is  his  mission  to  explain  away. 

Trite  as  this  may  appear,  is  it  not  a  point  to  be  empha- 
sized ?  Is  it  not  a  self-evident  proposition  that,  given  a 
Christian  theological  seminary,  there  is  an  accepted  rev- 
elation from  God  as  the  reason  for  the  existence  of  that 
institution  ?  And  yet  it  is  something,  is  it  not,  for  the  Chris- 
tian public  to  be  assured  beyond  a  doubt  that  a  theological 
seminary  holds,  and  impresses  upon  the  minds  of  its  students, 
strong  convictions  that  the  Bible  Is  ? 


68 

What  is  meant,  then,  when  we  point  to  Biblical  teaching  as 
the  distinctive  feature  of  our  beloved  institution,  may  be  found 
in  three  questions  which  indicate  the  character  of  study  and 
research  in  each  department,  t viz. :  "Has  God  spoken  to 
men  ?  Has  he  so  spoken  that  his  utterances  can  be  known 
with  certainty  ?  "  And  last,  "  What  has  he  said  ? "  Around 
these  three  questions  the  entire  system  of  instruction  here  may 
be  found,  as  the  radii  of  a  circle  spring  from  its  single  center 
and  touch  the  circumference  in  every  direction,  however  dis- 
tant. Just  here,  perhaps,  lies  one  point  of  its  distinction. 
The  aim  is  not  simply  to  give  the  student  a  seminary  cast, 
but  to  so  direct  his  study  of  the  Bible  that  he  shall  receive 
his  moulding  influence  from  the  Word  of  God. 

In  these  halls  it  is  not  considered  necessary  to  spend  so 
large  a  portion  of  the  student's  time  over  the  first  question  of 
this  trio,  or  even  the  second ;  but  it  is  the  conviction  of  this 
Seminary  that,  without  controversy,  and  with  proof  as  mani- 
fest as  it  is  manifold,  God  has  spoken  to  man,  and  in  such  a 
way  that  we  may  know  what  his  utterances  are.  Beginning 
with  such  a  conviction,  and  holding  it  with  unflinching  stead- 
fastness, the  main  purpose  of  the  teaching  of  this  institution 
may  be  said  to  be  not  so  much  to  instruct  young  men  in  a 
slavish  knowledge  of  what  God  has  said ;  and  so  to  send 
them  forth  to  repeat,  parrot-like,  what  they  have  already 
heard, — for  it  is  not  intended  that  the  graduate  of  this  Sem- 
inary shall  go  out  into  the  world  merely  to  sprinkle  in  con- 
venient places  the  few  drops  he  may  have  received  from  a 
theological  hydrant ;  but  the  grand  intent,  and  we  can  con- 
ceive of  no  higher  aim,  is  to  teach  the  student  how  to  find 
out  for  himself  what  the  Word  of  God  is.  It  is  not  to  per- 
suade him  of  what  has  been  held  or  said  on  a  few  controver- 
sial points, — not  to  take  him  over  solitary  passages  which 
have  been  the  historic  battlefields  of  theology ;  but  to  so  equip 
him  that  he  can  be  at  home  in  all  parts  of  Scripture,  and  at 
every  point.  It  is  desired  here,  we  may  affirm,  to  send  out 
the  graduates  into  the  warfare  against  error,  and  for  truth, 
not  bearing  simply  a  single  sword,  but  being  in  themselves 
well-furnished  arsenals  ready  for  the  use  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 


69 

Such  an  aim  as  this  makes  the  seminary  preeminently  a  place 
for  work.  It  converts  the  class  and  lecture-room  into  a  work- 
shop. It  requires  the  personal  contact  of  the  instructor  with 
his  pupil.  The  student  must  not  only  be  a  listener,  but  a 
worker ;  he  has  not  merely  the  opportunity  to  hear  and  know 
what  Bible  scholars  think  and  hold,  but,  if  it  is  in  him,  he 
can  scarcely  fail  of  becoming,  in  some  useful  degree,  a  Bible 
scholar  himself.  This  purpose  is  in  perfect  keeping  with  what 
was  once  said  to  the  officers  and  friends  of  this  institution  in 
an  inaugural  address,  and  what  every  student  has  found  true 
doubtless,  in  each  department,  viz.,  that  Biblical  teaching 
here,  means  preparing  young  men  in  the  ministry  to  study 
the  Bible  after  the  strictly  scientific  method.  That  is,  the 
discovery,  and  orderly,  accurate  arrangement  of  facts, — facts 
historical,  facts  ethical,  and  facts  spiritual,  with  the  triune 
God  as  their  authority. 

It  means  such  deductions,  and  only  such  as  are  clearly  based 
upon  this  scientific  investigation.  It  means  conclusions  which 
are  not  merely  concerning  the  Bible,  or  like  the  Bible,  or  in 
possible  harmony  with  the  Word  of  God,  but  conclusions 
which  are  God's  Word. 

Hence  it  is  but  just  to  claim  that  Biblical  teaching  here 
means  a  conviction  that  God  gave  his  message  to  man  in 
human  language, — language  in  use,  and  subject  to  the  modi- 
fications and  limitations  of  the  peoples  to  which  it  was  first 
spoken.  It  means  that  the  first,  best,  and  only  correct  step 
in  learning  what  God  has  declared  to  be  his  will,  is  to  defi- 
nitely ascertain  the  law  of  the  language,  the  history  of  the 
times,  and  the  circumstances  of  the  manifestation  in  which 
the  Word  was  given.  Then  when  such  steps  have  been  care- 
fully taken,  it  is  considered  no  discredit  to  label  conclusions 

so  obtained, 

DOCTRINES. 

It  is  strength,  not  weakness,  that  facts  thus  established 
should  naturally  arrange  themselves  in  harmonious  order, 
and  that  Biblical  teaching  in  this  Seminary  should  mean  a 
system  of  divine  truth  which  is  at  once  scientific  and  authori- 
tative. 


70 

Again,  it  follows  as  a  legitimate  and  natural  result  of  this 
method  that  Biblical  teaching,  in  this  center  of  Biblical  study, 
also  means 

CANDOR. 

On  the  one  hand,  the  past  is  not  worshiped,  as  if  no  more 
light  were  to  "  break  forth  from  the  Word  of  God  ; "  on  the 
other,  the  past  is  not  discarded,  as  if  no  light  had  broken  forth 
already.  The  consecrated  labors  of  former  years  and  centu- 
ries, are  welcomed  as  making  vastly  more  valuable  the  dis- 
coveries of  the  present.  Here  are  sought  the  true  of  all 
times.  The  results  here  reached  are  intended  to  be  the  sum 
of  the  best 'of  the  ages,  that  we  may  the  more  accurately  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  exact  Word  of  God. 

Further,  Biblical  teaching  carried  on  in  this  spirit  of  can- 
dor means 

DEVOTJTNESS. 

Such  a  method  of  careful  scientific  study  naturally  leads  to 
the  stimulation  of  the  devotional  nature.  For  the  nearer  we 
get  to  an  adequate,  faithful  understanding  of  the  human  side 
of  God's  revelation,  the  more  we  are  kindled  by  the  divine. 
The  grammar,  the  lexicon,  and  the  hard  work  of  detail,  such 
as  every  scholar  in  these  halls  is  expected  to  perform,  are  true 
factors  in  spiritual  illumination.  The  student  who  is  con- 
scious that  he  is  able  to  ascertain  what  God  has  said,  has  an 
inspiration  in  that  very  fact ;  he  feels  no  need  of  substituting 
his  wits  for  Scripture.  Indeed,  the  nearer  he  gets  to  what 
God  has  declared,  the  less  his  own  wisdom  seems  adequate  to 
take  its  place, — the  less  inclined  will  he  be  to  ascribe  either 
value  or  authority  to  his  own  speculations. 

Beyond  this,  we  can  rightfully  claim  that  Biblical  teaching, 
conducted  here  after  scientific  method,  with  a  candid  temper, 
and  in  a  devout  spirit,  can  scarcely  become  less  than  Biblical 

AUTHORITY. 

The  real  power  of  the  preacher  lies,  in  no  small  measure, 
in  the  Word  spoken  with  conscious  authority.  But  whence 
comes  authority  so  much  as  from  contact  with  the  Author  ? 
It  has  been  truly  said  that  meeting  Christ  in  the  Divine 


71 

Word,  the  student  is  made  conscious  of  the  authority  of  the 
message  he  bears.  This  gives  him  power.  Is  the  present 
need  of  the  pulpit,  toward  the  filling  of  which  this  Seminary 
is  endeavoring  to  do  its  part,  greater  in  any  direction,  than 
that  it  shall  be  occupied  by  men  who  carry  with  their  word 
the  conviction  that  they  are  speaking  what  God  has  bidden 
them  utter  ?  If  there  is  any  confusion  in  the  assemblies  of 
the  Lord's  house,  has  it  not  often  arisen  because  those  who 
stand  before  the  people  have  shown  themselves  to  be  uncer- 
tain of  their  authority  ?  The  soul  of  man  is  something  which 
will  not  be  bound  by  any  authority  less  than  that  of  God ; 
so  that  the  real  power  of  preaching  is  in  proportion  to  the 
conviction  it  carries  of  the  authority  of  God  behind  it.  It  is 
when  men  hear  a  voice  saying :  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  thou 
art  the  man  ; "  when  they  see  the  finger  that  points  to  them, 
to  be  the  finger  of  God,  and  when  they  forget  the  man  and 
feel  the  presence  of  the  Almighty,  it  is  then,  and  only  then 
we  may  be  sure,  that  work  of  eternal  value  will  be  done. 

It  is  for  this  cause  that  we  congratulate  ourselves  to-day. 
The  Biblical  teaching  here,  puts  the  student  into  such  close 
contact  with  the  very  Word  of  God,  without  the  intervention, 
or  discoloration  of  philosophical  spectacles,  that  he  must  of 
necessity  feel  the  life  in  it,  and  be  himself  infused  by  it. 
Thus  equipped,  he  goes  forth  to  his  life  work  to  give  no 
uncertain  sound  concerning  the  truth  God  hath  sent  to  the 
children  of  men. 

We  are  confident  that  Biblical  teaching,  as  thus  imperfectly 
outlined,  is  the  distinctive  feature  of  this  Seminary,  not  only 
because  we  see  it  to  be  so,  but  this  also  is  the  impression 
made  wherever  its  work  is  felt.  In  speaking  of  the  graduates 
of  this  institution,  one  of  the  honored  fathers  of  Connecticut, 
whose  wide  experience  and  observation  give  no  little  weight 
to  his  testimony,  said  this  of  their  examinations  before  instal- 
ling councils  :  "  These  men  seem  to  believe  something ;  they 
know  what  it  is,  why  it  is,  and  how  to  defend  it."  Not  long 
since,  also,  a  professor  in  this.  Seminary,  was  called  to  occupy 
for  a  Sabbath,  a  pulpit  in  a  prominent  New  England  city. 
The  day  after,  a  deacon  of  the  church,  who  was  a  leading 


72 

business  man,  was  asked  how  the  preaching  of  the  Hartford 
representative  impressed  him.  Quick  as  thought  he  replied  : 
"  Well,  one  thing  is  certain,  they  don't  have  any  fooling  down 
there." 

There  is  weighty  testimony,  if  not  elegance,  in  that  reply. 
It  shows,  as  does  the  witness  from  the  church  councils,  that 
the  Gospel  as  found  by  the  devout,  scientific  method  of  Bibli- 
cal teaching  in  this  institution,  is  no  uncertain  sound,  but  that 
it  is  solid,  authoritative,  and  convincing. 

It  is  something  to  be  noted  also,  in  this  anniversary,  that 
this  Biblical  teaching  never  was  more  a  distinctive  feature  of 
the  Seminary  than  at  present. 

If  it  is  true  that  these  closing  years  of  the  fifty  which  this 
institution  has  had  of  life  and  labor,  have  been  marked  by 
disturbance  in  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  theological  tides,  it  is 
still  a  fact  that  our.  own  alma  mater  has  remained  true,  with 
increasing  loyalty,  to  the  authority,  and  adequacy  of  the  Word 
of  God  as  we  have  it.  If  in  any  quarter,  the  hold  upon  the 
Bible  has  appeared  to  be  loosening,  her  grasp  has  seemed  to 
be  the  firmer.  Truly,  she  has  been  like  that  house  upon 
which  the  rain  descended,  and  against  which  floods  came  and 
winds  blew,  but  "  it  fell  not  for  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock." 
She  too,  in  her  present  character,  and  influence,  and  in  her 
honorable  constituency  as  well,  is  a  potent  example  of  the 
enduring,  and  ennobling  nature  of  the  truth  to  which  she 
holds  fast. 

But  even  though  it  is  an  anniversary  that  we  this  day  cele- 
brate, our  faces  are  not  backward,  but  forward.  Looking  into 
those  years  which  are  just  before  us, — nearest  now,  but  which 
will  be  farthest  away  from  those  who  shall  observe  the  cen- 
tennial year,  when  most  of  us  shall  have  laid  down  our  armor, 
— looking  into  these  nearer  years,  who  —  what  alumni  have 
greater  reason  for  joyful  confidence  than  we,  in  the  future  of 
our  Seminary  ?  Our  expectancy  is  not  the  flush  of  a  new 
experiment.  We  are  not  here  to  hoist  the  banner  of  a  new 
system,  uncertain  at  its  very  .best.  But  we  rejoice  in  the 
belief  that  the  prosperity,  and  the  usefulness  of  this  institu- 
tion are  assured  as  long  as  it  is  the  business  here  not  merely 


73 

to  furnish  men  with  a  few  nuggets  of  gold  for  distribution, 
but  to  equip  them  with  such  implements,  and  to  give  them 
such  knowledge  of  their  use,  as  will  make  them  independent, 
successful  miners  in  the  galleries  of  God's  spoken  revelation. 
Such  men  will  not  have  much  time  or  taste  for  a  noisy  proc- 
lamation of  their  own  "  views,"  they  will  be  so  busy,  and  so 
earnest  in  telling, 

"  The  old,  old  story  that  men  have  loved  so  long." 

While  we  see,  in  the  Biblical  teaching  of  this  Seminary,  an 
element  of  its  safety  and  its  growth,  it  is  not  for  us,  above  all 
men,  to  forget  the  utterances  of  God  himself  on  this  matter : 
"  The  grass  wi there th,  the  flower  fadeth,  but  the  Word  of  our 
God  shall  stand  forever."  "Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass 
away,  but  my  Word  shall  not  pass  away."  They  stand  long- 
est and  surest  who  stand  nearest  to  the  Word. 

So  of  the  glory  of  this  institution ;  it  is  not  worth  while  to 
ask  any  other  than  that  which  comes  from  the  same  source. 

Some  of  us  will  not  soon  forget  a  remark  made  by  one  of 
the  instructors  here  in  the  days  when  the  classes  were  smaller 
than  at  this  date.  Referring  to  the  increase  of  students,  he 
said :  "  Young  men,  what  we  must  seek  in  this  Seminary  is 
quality  not  quantity."  This  is  the  true  watch-word  for  the 
alumni  in  desiring  the  glory  of  our  beloved  school  of  the 
prophets ;  it  is  quality  rather  than  size.  It  is  the  glory  of  the 
reflected  light  of  the  Word  of  God.  As  long  as  Biblical 
teaching  shall  thus  be  the  distinctive  feature  of  this  institu- 
tion, just  so  long  will  the  glory  of  God  in  the  Holy  Spirit 
overshadow  the  character  and  the  work  of  those  who  come 
and  go,  in  and  out  of  the  Hartford  Theological  Seminary. 


10 


The  Theological  Seminary  and  Foreign  Missions. 


The  origin  of  foreign  missions  in  New  England  was  con- 
temporary with  that  of  theological  seminaries.  The  first 
known  instance  within  the  present  century  of  personal  con- 
secration to  the  foreign  service  was  by  an  undergraduate 
at  "Williams  College,  the  same  year  that  Andover  Sem- 
inary was  founded  ;  while  the  first  class  from  that  Semin- 
ary graduated  the  same  year  with  the  organization  of  the 
American  Board.  It  will  always  remain  a  suggestive  incident 
that  Mr.  John  Norris  of  Salem,  being  deeply  impressed  with 
the  claims  of  missions,  and  often  uttering  the  sentiment, 
"  The  missionary  object  is  the  greatest  in  the  world  !  "  was  at 
first  disposed  to  give  only  five  thousand  dollars  toward  an 
endowment  at  Andover ;  but  on  the  suggestion  of  his  wife, 
that  the  two  objects  are  the  same,  he  made  the  amount  ten 
thousand  dollars.  Later,  his  widow  bequeathed  thirty  thousand 
to  the  Seminary,  and  an  equal  sum  in  aid  of  missions  to  the 
heathen. 

Among  the  fathers,  founders,  and  early  officers  of  the  insti- 
tution whose  semi-centenary  we  celebrate  to-day,  there  was 
not  wanting  a  regard  to  the  interests  of  foreign  evangelism. 
They  were  men  neither  of  narrow  minds  nor  of  shriveled 
sympathies.  Among  them  were  those  who  had  weighed 
seriously  the  duty  of  going  in  person  to  the  heathen ;  who 
prayed  for  the  universal  spread  of  the  Gospel,  whose  contri- 
butions to  that  object  were  not  small,  though  they  made  large 
sacrifices  for  the  new  Seminary.  One  of  them  gave  a  son  to 
Africa,  where  he  has  already  spent  thirty-five  years  of  Christian 
service  among  the  Zulus.  We  might  expect  that  such  a  spirit 
would  impart  character,  in  some  good  measure,  to  the  senti- 
ment of  successive  classes  of  students.  Recent  correspond- 


75 

ence  with  living  alumni  who  have  been,  or  are  now  in  foreign 
fields,  bears  testimony  that  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer  was 
maintained  here  with  interest ;  that  the  missionary  meetings 
of  Tuesday  evening  were  far  the  best ;  that  seldom  did  a  stu- 
dent absent  himself;  that  a  union  of  those  contemplating 
foreign  work  was  early  formed,  and  that  love  for  missions  was 
sustained  by  the  personal  interest  of  the  Professors.  "  I  spent 
but  one  year — my  senior  year — in  Hartford  Seminary,"  writes 
a  graduate,  "  but  it  is  a  year  full  of  blessed  memories,  because 
it  brought  me  nearer  to  Christ ;  gave  me  an  intense  longing  to 
know  and  do  only  his  will ;  to  seek  souls,  not  place  ;  to  labor 
anywhere  and  in  any  way  that  might  best  promote  the  glory 
of  Him  who  redeemed  us  with  his  most  precious  blood. 
Willingness  to  labor  as  a  foreign  missionary  became  in  Hart- 
ford Seminary  a  decision  to  do  so,  if  God  should  open  the 
way." 

An  alumnus  who  has  for  ten  years  had  charge  of  a  mission 
theological  seminary,  expresses  the  conviction,  in  a  letter  just 
received,  that  all  candidates  for  the  ministry,  including 
those  for  foreign  service,  should  become  familiarized  with  the 
principles  and  leading  methods  of  evangelistic  work  abroad 
as  well  as  at  home,  not  that  a  training-school  for  missionaries 
should  be  established,  but  that  in  the  lecture-rooms  of  exist- 
ing institutions  there  should  be  instruction  beyond  what  is 
generally  given  at  present.  This  falls  in  with  the  theme 
assigned  to  me — the  place  of  missions  in  a  theological  curricu- 
lum ;  and  it  is  a  happy  circumstance  that  what  I  have  to  say 
can  be  said  without  the  least  comparative  reflection  upon  the 
past  or  the  present  of  Hartford  Seminary. 

As  regards  distinct,  formal  instruction  on  this  subject,  what  is 
the  condition  of  things  in  training-schools  for  the  ministry 
throughout  our  land  ?  The  question  is  not  whether  interest 
in  missions  has  been  felt,  and  whether,  in  the  department  of 
church  history,  more  or  less  of  instruction  has  been  given  ; 
but  the  question  is.  What  status  has  Evangelistic  Theology, 
as  a  branch  by  itself?  ~Not  till  January,  1867,  was  permanent 
provision  made  for  distinct  instruction  in  this  line,  at  any  one 
of  our  professional  schools.  The  endowment  of  the  Hyde 


76 

Lectureship  of  Foreign  Missions  in  the  Andover  Seminary, 
with  a  fund  of  five  thousand  dollars,  less  than  a  score  of  years 
since,  marked  an  epoch  in  ministerial  training.  Nothing 
could  be  more  appropriate  than  that  the  oldest  seminary  in  our 
country — save,  perhaps,  that  of  the  Moravians,  at  Bethlehem, 
Pennsylvania — the  foster  mother  of  so  many  sons  who  have 
entered  foreign  missionary  fields,  should  take  the  lead  in  an 
an  arrangement  of  this  kind.  True,  fifty  years  ago  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  with  a 
breadth  of  enterprise  quite  in  advance  of  that  period,  insti- 
tuted a  chair  at  Princeton,  with  a  social,  though  not  exclu- 
sive regard  to  this  subject ;  but  it  was  filled  for  only  a  short 
time.  Seven  years  after  the  founding  of  the  Lectureship  at 
Andover,  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  of  New  York  city 
established  a  mixed  professorship  of  "  pastoral  theology, 
church  polity  and  mission  work,"  and  the  incumbent  lectures 
twice  a  week  to  the  junior  class,  through  the  first  term,  on  the 
subject  last  named.  That  was  the  next  instance  in  which  this 
department  of  ministerial  propaedeutics  found  recognition  in 
a  permanent  organic  form. 

From  a  comparative  survey  of  theological  institutions  in 
the  United  States,  it  would  seem  that  those  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  come  abreast  wTith  the  most  advanced  in 
distinctness  of  aim  as  relates  to  this  department.  What  else 
might  be  expected  of  a  denomination  in  which  the  missionary 
idea  is,  to  so  commendable  a  degree,  dominant — an  idea  which 
enters  formally  into  the  very  constitution  and  prescribed 
administration  of  the  church.  The  first  seminary  of  that 
denomination,  for  theological  training,  was  established  at 
Concord,  New  Hampshire,  in  1847 ;  was  twenty  years  after- 
wards removed  to  Boston,  and  is  now  the  School  of  Theology 
connected  with  the  Boston  University.  In  its  curriculum  is 
a  missionary  course ;  but  the  elaborate  plan  has  not  been  car- 
ried out,  though  it  only  awaits  required  funds.  Yet  for 
thirteen  years  past,  a  weekly  lecture  on  some  missionary 
topic  has  been  supplied  by  one  of  the  Faculty,  and  special 
courses  are  also  occasionally  delivered  by  gentlemen  from  out- 
side. The  Drew  Theological  Seminary  at  Madison,  New 


77 

Jersey,  announces  that  it  aims  to  give  due  prominence  to 
those  kinds  of  instruction  which  are  needed  by  students  propos- 
ing to  go  as  missionaries  to  foreign  countries,  and  by  ministers 
at  home.  They  are  referred  to  the  best  books  on  the  history 
of  missions,  and  are  required  to  become  particularly  familiar 
with  the  history,  the  fields  of  labor  and  plans  of  action  of  their 
own  missionary  society.  The  subject  is  presented  to  them  by 
lectures,  with  reference  to  those  paragraphs  of  the  church 
discipline  which  officially  set  forth  the  method  of  raising  and 
appropriating  funds — also  to  the  annual  reports  of  their 
missionary  society.  After  explanations  and  sufficient  time 
for  consulting  the  references  given,  each  man  is  required  to  be 
prepared  to  state  exhaustively  the  whole  topic  or  any  part  of 
it,  with  a  view  to  his  being  qualified  to  present  the  claims  of 
the  society  to  any  congregation,  so  as  to  secure  its  intelligent 
and  liberal  support. 

The  inquiry  here  arises,  Where,  in  the  field  of  institutional 
studies,  a  chair  of  missions  may  have  place — what  are  its 
logical  relationships  ?  Biblical  Theology  supplies  the  starting- 
point;  and  among  urgent  desiderata  oi  the  day — one  worthy 
of  the  highest  scholarship — is  painstaking,  exhaustive  exege- 
sis, together  with  inferential  exposition  of  all  Scriptures  relat- 
ing to  the  nature  and  compass  of  the  Messianic  Kingdom ;  to 
the  character,  condition,  and  destiny  of  the  unevangelized ;  to 
the  universal  need  and  universal  adaptation  of  Christianity, 
and  to  its  predicted  triumphs. 

Thence  we  would  pass  to  the  department  of  Practical  The- 
ology, and  gather  into  systematic  form,  the  teachings  of  our 
Lord  and  His  Apostles,  regarding  the  bounden  aggressiveness 
of  Christianity;  the  proper  motives  for  evangelizing  the 
heathen ;  the  need  of  general  consecration  to  the  work ;  the 
power  and  need  of  prayer  specifically  for  the  coming  of  the 
Kingdom.  The  principles,  forms,-and  proceedings  of  home 
organizations;  the  policies  and  methods  of  missions  abroad, 
with  a  multitude  of  topics,  will  engage  the  instructor's  atten- 
tion. In  both  Biblical  Theology  and  Biblical  Ethics  there 
would  be  left  a  domain  too  broad  ever  to  be  exhausted  by  their 
respective  professors. 


78 

Then  comes  the  obvious  element  which  gives  this  subject  a 
place  in  church  history.  There  is  certainly  required  a  glance 
at  primative  gospel  promulgation,  including  the  causes  and 
consequences  of  decline  in  evangelistic  zeal ;  mediaeval  mis- 
sions ;  modern  Roman  Catholic  propagandism ;  tentative 
Protestant  efforts  in  the  seventeenth  century ;  the  rise  of 
organized  evangelism  among  heathen  nations  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  last  century ;  the  signal  growth  thereof  at  the 
close  of  that  century  and  thence  onward  to  the  present  time. 
There  are  now  more  than  eighty  foreign  missionary  societies, 
each  of  which  has  for  its  object  \vhat  was  the  motto  of  one 
established  in  the  Netherlands,  1797,  "  Peace  through  the  blood 
of  the  cross,"  each  of  which  deserves  notice,  and  some  of 
which  would  require  years  of  study.  Portraits  of  heroes  and 
heroines  in  the  great  enterprise  would  fill  a  gallery.  So 
would  the  portraits  of  eminent  converts  from  heathenism. 
No  small  space  would  be  due  to  trials  endured  and  obstacles 
encountered  ;  and  among  the  latter  might  come  the  compara- 
tive study  of  false  religions.  Direct  results  are  an  ample  and 
animating  theme.  Indirect  results,"  in  benefits  accruing  to 
commerce,  to  geography,  ethnography,  philology,  and  natural 
science,  deserve  consideration ;  and  still  more  the  reflex  influ- 
ence on  churches  at  home,  and  the  general  culture  of  the  com- 
munity. These  are  topics  but  slightly  touched  upon  at  the 
present  time  in  our  seminaries,  and  topics  which  any  profes- 
sor of  Ecclesiastical  History  would  be  glad  to  have  treated 
by  some  able  coadjutor.  One  attractive  feature  in  this  depart- 
ment is  that  a  comparatively  virgin  soil  presents  itself,  and 
there  exist  vast  stores  of  undigested  facts  to  be  carefully 
explored,  as  well  as  great  problems  to  be  solved. 

It  must  seem  plain  that  there  is  here  a  broad  field  for  culti- 
vation, and  that  it  is  one  for  which  no  adequate  specific  pro- 
vision has  been  made.  Indeed  schools  of  the  prophets  gen- 
erally, with  all  the  advances  that  have  taken  place,  seem  not 
to  have  kept  pace  with  certain  other  institutions.  There  are 
lines  of  higher  education  in  the  United  States  which,  during 
the  fifty  years  that  measure  the  life  of  this  Seminary,  furnish 
suggestive  lessons.  Look  at  schools  of  science,  of  which 


79 

West  Point,  Annapolis,  the  Sheffield,  and  Lawrence  schools 
were  the  only  ones  of  importance  half  a  century  ago.  Now 
there  are  colleges  of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts  to  the 
number  of  eighty-five,  seventy-two  of  which  have  sprung  into 
existence  since  1834.  But  it  is  not  the  increase  of  number  so 
much  as  the  sums  devoted  to  their  establishment  that  surprise 
and  gratify  us.  Including  grounds,  buildings  and  productive 
funds,  those  institutions  have  endowments  amounting  to 
twent}^-four  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars.  Among  the 
branches  taught,  of  which  we  scarcely  heard  anything  fifty 
years  ago,  are  physiological  chemistry,  agricultural  chemistry, 
molecular  physics,  mathematical  physics,  biology,  dynamic 
engineering,  and  so  on  through  a  long  catalogue.  These 
schools  of  technology  or  applied  science,  have  grown  out  of 
the  practical  demands  of  the  age,  and  are  training  men  to 
employ  principles  wrought  out  by  master  spirits  in  the  uni- 
versity, arid  to  put  them  upon  making  fingers  of  steel  instead 
of  flesh,  to  weave  and  twist ;  upon  constructing  machines  that 
shall  compel  mountains  to  disgorge  their  treasures  ;  upon  de- 
vising apparatus  that  annihilates  distance  ;  and  upon  mani- 
fold applications  that  subsidize  the  forces  of  nature,  supersed- 
ing the  artisan,  changing  methods  and  times  of  intercommu- 
nication, and  thus  revolutionizing  the  ways  of  commerce.  An 
animating  record,  but  it  is  eagerness  for  material  prosperity 
that  incites  to  all  this. 

Collegiate  institutions  have  made  noteworthy  advancement. 
Passing  up  this  valley  of  the  Connecticut  fifty  years  ago,  we 
should  have  found  Amherst  College  with  a  president,  five 
professors  and  four  tutors ;  to-day  we  find  a  president,  seven- 
teen professors  and  six  additional  instructors.  New  depart- 
ments of  study  have  been  introduced,  and  the  funds  of  the 
institution  have  been  increased  by  a  million  of  dollars.  In 
1834  Yale  College  reported  a  faculty  of  eight  professors,  in- 
cluding the  president,  besides  ten  other  instructors  ;  Yale  now 
reports  twenty -three  professors,  including  the  president,  besides 
eleven  other  instructors,  and  a  corresponding  increase  of  funds, 
buildings,  and  library  belonging  to  the  academical  depart- 
ment. At  Harvard,  half  a  century  ago,  there  were  seventeen 


80 

teachers  in  the  undergraduate  department,  besides  four  lec- 
turers who  did  no  class  work  ;  now  there  are  fifty-four  teach- 
ers, besides  twelve  or  fifteen  more  with  whom  students  may 
take  electives.  And  what  an  array  of  courses  at  the  present 
time — enough  to  amaze  the  graduate  of  1834  ! — eight  elect- 
ive courses  in  the  Semitic  languages,  including  Hebrew, 
Aramaic.  Assyrian,  and  Arabic ;  four  in  the  Indo-Aranian 
languages,  including  Sanscrit  and  the  old  Iranian ;  thirteen 
in  Greek ;  twelve  in  Latin ;  two  in  Greek  and  Latin  Compar- 
ative Philology ;  nine  in  the  English  Language  and  Litera- 
ture ;  eight  each  in  German  and  French  ;  four  in  Italian ; 
three  in  Spanish ;  eleven  in  Philosophy  ;  seven  in  Political 
Economy  ;  seventeen  in  History  ;  three  in  Roman  Law ;  seven 
in  the  Fine  Arts  ;  six  in  Music  ;  ten  in  Mathematics ;  eight 
in  Physics  ;  nine  in  Chemistry,  and  eighteen  in  Natural  Phi- 
losophy. As  for  funds,  they  are  now  ten  times  what  they 
were  then. 

Turn  to  professional  education,  and  glance  for  a  moment  at 
medical  schools.  Multiform  divisions  have  been  made  in  the 
old  standard  departments  of  anatomy,  surgery,  materia  med- 
ica,  theory,  and  practice.  New  departments  have  sprung  up, 
resulting  from  advance  in  the  science  of  chemistry,  and  from 
new  appliances,  such  as  the  achromatic  microscope,  etheriza- 
tion, and  the  like.  It  is  not,  perhaps,  beyond  the  recollection 
of  aged  persons,  when  there  were  only  three  teachers  at  each 
of  our  leading  medical  schools,  where  there  are  now  from  one 
score  to  two  score  professors.  In  regard  to  almost  every  lead- 
ing branch  fifty  years  ago,  Dr.  Holmes  might  well  say,  "  I 
call  it  a  chair — it  was  rather  a  settee  of  professorships."  The 
medical  department  of  Columbia  College  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  has  a  faculty  at  this  time  numbering  fourteen  profess- 
ors, besides  .twelve  clinical  professors.  The  corresponding 
department  in  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  enu- 
merates eighteen  or  twenty  gentlemen  on  its  regular  staff,  six 
adjunct  lecturers,  and  laboratory  instructors.  Harvard  Uni- 
versity in  its  medical  school,  and  for  its  one  hundred  and 
first  annual  announcement  (1884),  enumerates  a  faculty  with 
twenty-two  members,  eighteen  other  stated  instructors,  besides 


81 

eight  or  more  who  give  special  clinical  instruction,  making  a 
staff  of  forty-six  gentlemen.  Will  any  well-informed  person 
pronounce  that  number  needlessly  great — that  the  costly 
laboratories,  museums,  libraries,  and  other  adjuncts,  are  too 
expensive  in  view  of  the  reliefs  contemplated  for  human  suf- 
fering and  anxieties,  and  the  vast  sanitary  benefits  to  the 
community  ? 

In  our  theological  seminaries  sub-divisions  have  indeed 
taken  place,  to  a  noticeable  extent,  within  these  fifty  years. 
Biblical  philology  once  embraced  Hebrew  and  Greek  ;  also, 
it  may  be  Old  Testament  theology  and  New  Testament  the- 
ology, not  to  speak  of  Assyriology,  which,  to  be  sure,  has  no 
frequent  place  as  yet.  The  comprehensive  department,  earlier 
known  to  us  as  that  of  dogmatic  theology,  may  now  be  seen 
partitioned  into  professorships  of  natural  theology,  apologetics, 
and  also  of  the  relations  of  science  to  theology ;  while  the 
department  of  church  history  has  been  sub-divided  into  the 
history  of  facts  and  the  history  of  doctrines.  Homiletics  and 
elocution  are,  in  some  instances,  provided  for  under  separate 
teachers,  whereas  sacred  rhetoric  formerly  embraced  the  two. 
Nor  is  this  all ;  to  the  old  curriculum  there  has.  been  added  a 
department  of  ecclesiastical  music  and  hymnology. 

Increased  division  of  labor,  and  consequent  increase  in  the 
staff  of  instructors,  suggest,  it  may  be,  a  liability  to  excessive 
crowding,  to  superficiality,  or  confusion,  if  all  the  diver- 
sified fields  are  to  be  traversed  during  a  trienniurn  ;  and 
hence  suggest  also  whether  certain  matters  which  may  be 
considered  rather  as  adjuncts  cannot  be  made  elective  for  a 
limited  number  of  students  who  have  special  aptitudes  ;  or 
whether  such  matters  should  not  be  reserved  for  a  year  sup- 
plementary to  the  three  years  of  urgently  needful  studies. 
In  case  a  fourth  year  were  added  to  the  regular  course  of 
every  such  institution,  or  if  a  more  extended  post-graduate 
course  were  instituted,  with  twro  or  three  professorships  ade- 
quately endowed,  theological  seminaries  would  still  lag  behind 
medical  schools  in  such  appointments.  The  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  now  has  a  post-grad- 
11 


82 

uate  course,  with  not  less  than  a  dozen  departments  and  as 
many  different  professors;  the  New  York  Post-graduate 
School  advertises  a  faculty  numbering  fourteen  professors  ; 
and  similar  provision  for  advanced  study  exists  elsewhere  also. 
"We,  of  course,  rejoice  to  see  the  rapid  advance  of  high  edu- 
cation in  other  spheres ;  but  is  it  creditable  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  that  she  has  made  no  more  ample  provision  for  the 
training  of  young  men  devoted  to  infinitely  higher  concerns  ? 

It  would  be  superfluous  to  enlarge  here  on  the  high  aims 
and  the  moral  earnestness  demanded  of  the  minister  of  the 
Word.  Eminent  duties  of  leadership  devolve  upon  him.  By 
his  very  profession  he  is  bound  to  cherish  breadth  of  view 
and  a  breadth  of  sympathy  commensurate  with  the  living 
race  of  mankind — an  interest  so  habitual  that  his  thoughts 
will  never,  for  any  length  of  time,  stop  short  of  India,  China, 
or  Polynesia.  Indeed,  he  should  be  a  man  of  one  idea,  but 
that  idea  broad  as  the  world  and  the  reach  of  eternity.  If  a 
home  pastor,  or  home  missionary,  he  needs  the  inspiration  of 
this  grand  thought,  the  ultimate  universal  sway  of  Immanuel. 
Beyond  anything  else  will  it  prove  a  mental  and  moral  tonic, 
rousing  from  intellectual  sluggishness,  perfunctory  content- 
ment, and-contented  poverty  of  thought.  "Whatever  may  be 
true  regarding  advanced  thought,  there  certainly  is  need  of 
advanced  discipleship.  The  home  pastorate,  be  it  repeated, 
requires  the  expanding  influence  of  this  sovereign  purpose  so  in 
harmony  with  the  sublimest  enterprise  of  all  time.  What 
was  Baxter's  range  of  thought  in  his  unsurpassed  parochial 
activity  and  success  in  reforming  irreligious  Kidderminster  ? 
"  There  is  nothing  in  the  world,"  he  writes,  "  that  lies  so 
heavy  upon  my  heart,  as  the  thought  of  the  miserable  nations 
of  the  earth.  I  cannot  be  affected  so  much  with  the  calami- 
ties of  my  own  relations,  or  of  the  land  of  my  nativity,  as 
with  the  case  of  the  heathen,  Mohammedan,  ignorant  nations 
of  the  earth.  No  part  of  my  prayer  is  so  deeply  serious,  as 
that  for  the  infidel  and  ungodly  world."  Ministers  with 
minds  thus  expanded  and  hearts  thus  burdened  will  not  aim 
at  merely  the  spiritual  safety  of  parishioners,  but  that  they 


83 

may  be  saved  to  labor,  and  that  vigorously,  in  the  Master's 
vineyard ;  they  will  seek  to  train  the  entire  church  as  a  mis- 
sionary band  ;  effective  interest  in  the  work  abroad  will  be 
reckoned  among  needful  proofs  of  reputable  membership  ;  the 
multitudes  of  professing  Christians  who  live  in  scandalous 
apathy,  or  in  scandalous  waste  of  wealth,  will  grow  less; 
patriotism  will  merge  itself  in  philanthropy,  and  philanthropy 
in  an  unquenchable  desire  for  the  conversion  of  all  men.  Nor 
will  this  be  a  fitful  desire  awakened  only  at  great  spirited 
gatherings ;  the  well-equipped  pastor  will  resolutely  and 
steadily  keep  heart ;  will  maintain  faith  and  love  in  such  a 
glow  as  not  to  require  outside  help  in  kindling  his  own  fires. 

An  eminent  Prussian  minister  of  education  remarked : 
"  Whatever  you  would  have  appear  in  the  life  of  a  nation, 
you  must  put  into  its  schools."  With  no  less  truth  may  it  be 
said,  whatever  we  would  have  in  the  life  of  the  churches  we 
must  put  into  the  theological  school.  Not  that  the  ideal  min- 
ister can  be  made  to  order  ;  nor  that  the  seminary  is  immedi- 
ately responsible  for  defective  training  in  the  family  and  the 
Sunday-school ;  yet  a  degree  of  indirect  responsibility  does 
exist.  Reasonably  is  it  demanded  of  the  professional  course 
that  it  have  a  well-directed  purpose  to  supply,  not  only  edu- 
cated brain,  but  consecrated  hearts — hearts  inspired  with  zeal 
for  advancing  the  great  object  of  redemption — animated  by 
the  certainty  of  that  imperial  sway  which  Jesus  Christ  is  yet 
to  have  in  this  world,  and  which  will  be  achieved  by  the 
preaching  of  His  own  glorious  Gospel. 

It  is  submitted,  therefore,  that  in  such  professional  seats  a 
larger  place  should  be  given  to  the  history,  the  claims,  the 
principles,  the  methods,  the  fruits  of  this  grand  enterprise. 
It  is  submitted  that  if  the  College  of  Apostles  were  in  con- 
sultation on  the  establishment  of  a  training-school  for  disciple- 
ing  all  nations,  evangelistic  theology  would  be  the  overshad- 
owing department,  and  the  chair  of  foreign  missions  would 
have  no  mere  by-place.  On*  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 
of  the  death  of  Count  Zinzendorf,  the  founder  of  Moravian 
missions,  a  German  writer  remarked :  "  It  seems  to  me  to 
belong  to  the  many  contradictions  that  we  meet  with  in  life, 


84 

that  theologians  should  leave  the  university  with  a  knowledge 
of  ancient  gnosticism,  but  with  none  whatever  of  an  institu- 
tion with  which  their  profession  will  be  sure  to  bring  them 
often  in  contact."  True  indeed,  and  passing  strange  it  is, 
that  by  some  of  the  theological  faculties  of  Germany,  every- 
thing is  taught  except  the  one  thing ;  and  we  cannot  help 
appreciating  the  sturdy  practical  sense  of  Gossner,  a  founder 
of  missions  who,  when  the  writing-desk  of  Hegel  the  philos- 
opher was  presented  to  the  hospital,  converted  it  into  a 
kitchen  table.  No  oblique  thrust  at  industry  and  accuracy  of 
scholarship  in  any  existing  department  of  study  is  intended. 
Rather,  we  say,  let  there  be  yet  other  departments,  and  a 
more  accomplished  scholarship.  The  broader  the  culture,  a/id 
the  more  ample  the  furniture,  the  better  is  the  preparation 
for  simplest  work  and  for  narrow  spheres.  But  it  is  claimed 
that  the  universal  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  as  an  object  of 
study  and  interest,  should  be  interwoven  among  the  fibers  of 
every  student's  heart ;  that  he  should  not  be  thought  quali- 
fied for  graduation  till  he  possesses  well-defined  ideas  con- 
cerning the  greatness  and  obligations  of  the  work  ;  till  he  has 
mastered  an  outline  of  its  progress  hitherto,  and  of  its  present 
activities ;  till  he  knows  what  the  best  sources  of  information 
are,  and  is  at  least  prepared  to  build  up  for  himself  a  sym- 
metrical evangelistic  culture.  Is  it  suggested  that  whole 
classes  might  sometimes  go  abroad  ?  Blessed  result !  The 
God  of  all  the  earth,  and  our  risen  Lord,  who  is  "  expecting 
till  his  enemies  be  made  his  footstool,"  and  who  is  wondering 
at  the  self-indulgent  disloyalty  of  his  professed  followers,  will 
look  after  such  an  institution,  and  the  churches  and  country 
that  sustain  it.  Not  less  than  with  the  individual,  will  the 
seminary  that  shall  thus  lose  its  life  for  Christ's  sake  and  the 
Gospel's,  save  it. 

But  when  will  our  denomination  be  fired  with  any  such 
intense  evangelistic  ardor  as  an  open  heathen  world  and  its 
accessible  millions  demand  ?  Lectureships  and  professorships 
on  missions  will  not,  indeed,  of  themselves  supply  our  own 
country  or  the  heathen  world  with  the  men  required.  Well 
has  it  been  said,  "  A  drop  of  life  is  better  than  a  sea  of  knowl- 


85 

edge."  Yet  improved  appliances  can  hardly  fail,  in  some 
measure,  to  expand  and  ennoble  that  curriculum  through 
which  candidates  for  the  sacred  office  are  to  pass.  We  would 
fain  deem  it  riot  too  bold  a  prediction  that,  without  retrench- 
ment elsewhere,  there  will  be  enlargement  in  this  direction; 
that  by  the  close  of  the  present  century  our  theological  semi- 
naries will  be  supplied  with  such  an  auxiliary,  or  something 
tantamount  thereto.  In  that  new  and  mighty  baptism  of 
Christian  enterprise,  which  we  pray  God  may  be  near,  it  will 
be  demanded  that  every  theological  institution  become  a  well- 
endowed  academy  of  spiritual  strategics  and  energetic  Chris- 
tian warfare. 

Sound  theology  alone  will  not  suffice;  orthodoxy  in  action, 
in  suffering,  and  sacrifice,  is  demanded.  Calvinism  made  the 
French  Huguenot  and  the  English  Puritan  ;  it  has  made 
many  a  powerful  preacher,  and  many  a  brave  missionary. 
Holding  that  there  are  other  ethical  elements  in  the  divine 
character  besides  love  ;  that  the  inevitable  penalty  of  sin, 
unrepented  of  in  this  life,  is  endless  punishment ;  that  salva- 
tion from  sin  and  from  the  abiding  wrath  of  God  is  possible 
only  through  the  infinite  merits  of  an  expiatory  sacrifice ;  it 
holds  also  that  every  living  man,  woman,  and  child  in  Chris- 
tendom is  bound  to  make  utmost  efforts  to  evangelize  the 
nations.  This  is  simply  Pauline  theology — an  incisive  Chris- 
tology,  that  both  broadens  and  intensifies  the  inner  man.  It 
discerns  no  heroism  in  hermits  on  the  top  of  pillars  or  in 
caverns.  Duty  without  compromise,  is  its  motto.  Scipio 
affirmed  there  was  not  a  man  in  his  army  who  would  not,  at 
the  word  of  command,  climb  a  tower  and  cast  himself  into 
the  sea.  Is  a  lower  grade  of  obedience  seemly  in  the  sacra- 
mental host  ? 

Late  correspondence  with  missionary  alumni  of  this  insti- 
tution discloses  gratifying  loyalty  to  the  aim,  methods,  and 
theological  attitude  of  their  alma  mater.  Repeated  and  grate- 
ful reference  is  made  to  the  eminently  Biblical  training  given 
here,  one  result  of  which  is  a  deepening  love  for  the  Sacred 
Scriptures  ;  to  the  type  of  Biblical  exegesis,  which  has  enabled 


86 

these  brethren  to  know  where  and  how  to  find  that  truth 
which  they  are  to  preach.  Among  those  brethren  there  is 
but  one  voice  in  regard  to  the  instruction — that  the  theology 
taught  has  stood  them  well  in  all  their  work ;  that  it  is  effect- 
ive and  commands  respect ;  that  as  experience  accumulates, 
greater  confidence  is  felt  in  the  teaching  of  this  Seminary. 
One  of  our  honored  and  beloved  brethren,  writing  from  Tur- 
key, says — and  others  say  the  same  substantially — "As  I  look 
back  over  sixteen  years  of  missionary  life,  I  am  most  thor- 
oughly convinced  that  the  distinctive  doctrines  which  were  the 
basis  of  all  the  instructions  given  there  are  the  only  doctrines 
which  will  suffice  to  arouse  these  nominal  Christians  for  whom 
we  labor,  from  their  fatal  trust  in  outward  rites,  and  bring 
them  up  to  a  life  i  hid  with  Christ  in  God.'  The  fearful 
depravity  so  rife  among  all  these  peoples,  whether  Christian 
or  Mohammedan — of  which  the  delineations  of  the  first  chap- 
ter of  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans  are  no  exaggeration — can 
only  be  removed  '  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  by  the 
renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  The  people  are  '  lost,'  '  con- 
demned already,'  and  only  the  plain,  pertinent,  presentations 
of  the  truths  of  the  Divine  Word  unmixed  with  human  spec- 
ulations, can  save  them." 

It  is  a  gratifying  circumstance  that  a  larger  proportion  of 
students  who  have  been  connected  with  the  Hartford  Semi- 
nary should  enter  upon  missionary  work  at  home  or  abroad, 
than  from  any  other  of  our  seven  similar  institutions,  if  not  a 
larger  proportion  than  from  any  similar  seminary  of  whatever 
denomination  in  the  land.  The  first  graduating  class  (1836) 
furnished  a  missionary  to  the  Sandwich  Islands  ;  the  second 
furnished  one  for  the  Spokan  Indians  far  to  the  Northwest; 
and  it  illustrates  the  wonderful  progress  of  things  that,  whereas 
forty-five  years  ago,  he  found  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine 
days  were  required  for  the  journey  from  Westport,  Mo.,  to 
the  place  of  destination  in  Washington  Territory,  only  four 
days  were  needed  for  the  recent  arid  first  return  of  this  hale 
brother  of  74.  Others  of  our  number  have  or  have  had  their 
frontier  posts  ia  Mexico,  Austria,  Bulgaria,  Turkey,  Syria, 
India,  China,  Micronesia,  South  and  Southwestern  Africa. 


87 

Some  of  them  have  had  their  share  in  the  translation  of  God's 
Word  and  the  production  of  useful  literature  in  various  ver- 
naculars^ and  all  testify  to  joys  and  successes  in  many  a  dark 
spot  of  the  heathen  world. 

Four  of  the  goodly  band  rest  from  their  labors.  One  lies 
buried  in  the  cemetery  of  Cedar  Hill  in  this  city  ;  one  had 
had  his  watch-tower  on  Mount  Lebanon  ;  Brewster  survived 
only  a  month  after  reaching  China,  and  Maynard  had  but 
just  entered  upon  his  work  on  the  site  of  ancient  Thessalonica. 
Visiting  Mount  Olympus  and  the  Yale  of  Tempe,  he  con- 
tracted a  fever  which  took  him  to  the  Mount  Zion  above. 
Did  ever  Grecian  hero,  philosopher,  or  poet  utter  words  so 
full  of  meaning  as  that  young  soldier  of  the  cross  in  his  last 
sickness — breaking  forth  into  exclamations — "  What  a  glori- 
ous Gospel !  What  a  lovely  Savior !  "  Visiting  the  grave  of 
Maynard  you  will  pass  by  Thermopylae.  The  simple  inscrip- 
tion with  which  Sparta  commemorated  the  heroic  devotion  of 
Leonidas  and  his  faithful  band  was  :  "  Stranger,  tell  the  Lace- 
demonians that  we  lie  here  in  obedience  to  their  laws."  This 
is  a  decoration-day  for  deceased  comrades.  We  visit  tomb- 
stones scattered  among  the  hills  of  New  England  and  broad 
plains  of  the  West ;  one  amidst  the  evergreen  foliage  of  the 
tropics ;  one  beside  the  monuments  of  Morrison  and  Bridg- 
man,  and  another  looking  out  upon  the  ^Egean.  In  each 
hand  we  carry  a  wreath.  One  motto  for  our  fallen  brethren 
is,  "  We  lie  here  in  obedience  to  our  Master's  command ;  " 
the  other,  "  We  are  more  than  conquerors." 


The   Survival  of  the  Ax. 


When  the  young  prophets  of  the  Gilgal  baud 
Their  sacred  college  for  Elisha  planned, 
And  sought  the  waving  woods,  by  Jordan's  stream, 
To  gather  timber,  "  every  man  a  beam," 
They  little  guessed  a  miracle  would  crown 
One  small  mischance  with  swift  and  sure  renown, 
And  make  the  story  of  their  work  sublime 
In  records  broad  as  earth  and  long  as  time. 

Behold  Elisha  and  his  student  train  ! 
Cheerful  they  march,  and  soon  the  woodland  gain. 
Strong  to  his  pious  task  each  laborer  bends  ; 
In  sturdy  concert  every  ax  descends, 
And  musical  thro'  all  the  forest  shades 
Peal  the  sharp  echoes  of  their  ringing  blades. 
One  eager  workman  hews  with  hasty  blows 
A  tree  whose  roots  the  river  overflows. 
Sudden  his  stroke  flies  wild:  a  flash,  a  gleam — 
And  the  loose  steel  falls  splashing  in  the  stream. 
Gazing  with  eyes  perplexed  he  sees  it  sink ; 
With  helve  in  hand  he  stands  upon  the  brink  : 
Surprise  and  fear  his  startled  conscience  tax — 
"Alas,  my  master!  'twas  a  borrowed  ax!" 
Then  waits  with  mute  appeal,  as  if  to  trace 
Some  hopeful  counsel  in  the  prophet's  face. 

Calm  o'er  the  water,  at  his  pupil's  call, 
Elisha  looked:  "My  son,  where  did  it  fall?" 
He  stretched  his  hand;  he  bade  the  waves  unclose ; 
And  the  sunk  iron  to  the  surface  rose. 
The  grateful  youth  his  lost  utensil  won, 
Fixed  firm  its  handle — and  the  work  went  on. 

Since  that  strange  scene  nine  hundred  years,  and  more, 
Had  passed — and,  heard  again  on  Jordan's  shore, 
Elisha's  miracle  smote  high  and  low 
As  if  Elisha's  master  dealt  the  blow, — 


89 

"  Fall  barren  trees,  and  trees  of  worthless  fruit ! 
Fall  for  the  fire!  the  ax  is  at  your  root !  " 
And  some  who  listened  seemed  to  understand, 
And  cried,  convicted,  "  'Tis  Elijah's  hand  !  " 
Thro'  tangled  errors  darting  quick  dismay, 
The  mighty  cleaver  cut  its  fearless  way ; 
Hewed  falsehood  down,  slew  folly  at  its  side, 
Struck  bigotry,  and  unbelief,  and  pride, 
Bared  old  abuses,  laid  rank  envies  low, 
And  battered  power  ungodly,  blow  on  blow, 
Till  the  dark,  pathless  wilderness  of  sin 
Opened  and  let  the  Morning  Star  shine  in. 

It  was  enough.     The  ax  immortal  flew 
From  the  bold  hand  that  wielded  it  so  true, 
For  hurled  at  Herod's  shame,  at  last  it  found 
A  heart  too  willing  to  resent  the  wound, 
And  where  the  smiter-prophet  last  had  stood 
Herodias'  vengeance  left  it  drowned  in  blood. 

Drowned,  but  not  perished.     Ere  the  saddening  scene 
Of  cruel  triumph  passed,  that  engine  keen 
Forth  on  its  spoilers'  heads  like  lightning  broke, 
And  Jews  and  Gentiles  trembled  at  the  stroke. 
With  force  fresh-harnessed  for  the  sharp  assault, 
It  rose  at  ancient  wrong  in  stern  revolt, 
And  hoar  hypocrisy  drove  skulking  out, 
And  moss-grown  ignorance,  and  chronic  doubt, 
And  blind  tradition,  and  inveterate  caste 
Felt  its  fierce  impact  like  a  whirlwind's  blast. 
In  vain  old  darkness,  strong-surrounding,  set 
Its  prisoners'  bondage — light  was  stronger  yet, 
And  jealous  hate  might  murder  righteous  John ; 
The  truth  survived — and  still  the  work  went  on. 

O,  oft  in  later  time,  when,  wielded  well, 
That  implement  of  power  on  Falsehood  fell; 
When  her  tall  trees  its  lightnings  earthward  hurled, 
And  the  grand  strokes  went  sounding  thro'  the  world, 
And  o'er  the  prostrate  forms  of  things  abhorred 
Made  pathway  for  the  coining  of  the  Lord, 
Some  paltry  failure  or  unseen  despite 
Has  turned  its  aim, — or  whirled  it  out  of  sight ! 
'Tis  but  the  laborer's  fortune :  Who  can  pledge 
Thro'  Error's  wilderness  the  whetted  edge, 
12 


90 


And  always  for  the  task  his  hope  has  planned 

Be  sure  the  instrument  is  well  in  hand  ? 

A  human  weakness  or  mistake  may  foil 

Its  promised  force,  and  mar  the  best  man's  toil. 

But,  tho'  he  mourn  it  as  a  blessing  past, 

It  will  return,  and  serve  him  to  the  last. 

Truth  is  a  tool  of  trenchant  virtue,  old, 
And  plain  of  pattern,  but  of  strength  untold. 
Forged  of  celestial  steel,  and  tempered  just, 
It  cuts  unfailing — and  it  cannot  rust. 
Only  one  thing  it  needs,  for  service'  sake — 
Give  it  a  handle  of  terrestrial  make ; 
And,  earthly  wood  to  heavenly  metal  hung, 
You  have  the  ax  that  John  the  Baptist  swung. 

That  ax  is  never  lost ;  tho'  sometimes,  when 
The  wielders  of  its  weight  are  mighty  men, 
Who  at  some  evil  root  too  fiercely  delve, 
It  slips  its  fastening,  and  flies  off  the  helve. 
Wait  then,  exultant  foe  and  timid  friend, 
That  is  its  accident,  and  not  its  end, 
And,  save  some  sad  distemper  holds  them  dim, 
The  eyes  that  saw  it  sink  will  see  it  swim. 
Sure  as  the  light  restores  the  moons  that  wane, 
The  sacred  blade  resumes  its  haft  again ; 
Its  sounding  shock  the  shades  of  death  anon 
Confess  and  fear — and  still  the  work  goes  on. 


Brethren  and  reverend  fathers !  when,  aglow 
With  Christ's  pure  gospel,  fifty  years  ago, 
By  old  Connecticut's  untainted  tide, 
You  stood,  in  faith  resistant,  side  by  side, 
To  Innovation's  overgrown  demands, 
You  held  that  ax  in  no  unpracticed  hands. . 
Those  hands  wrought  nobly  what  your  hearts  had  willed; 
Those  hearts  took  counsel,  "  Let  us  rise  and  build ! 
Here,  o'«r  the  waters  hallowed  by  the  flame 
Of  Edwards'  genius,  power,  and  saintly  fame, 
A  prophets'  school  shall  stand,  whose  voice  shall  speak 
The  old  instruction  when  the  church  is  weak. 
Here  shall  faith's  fortress  be,  for  dangerous  days 
When  Israel's  sons  forget  the  ancient  ways, 
To  lift  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  guard  intent 
The  word  and  doctrine  of  His  Testament." 


91 


I  see  them  by  the  old  colonial  stream, 
The  builders,  gathering  every  man  a  beam. 
How  humble  was  their  work  !  and  yet  more  grand 
Than  patriots'  warfare  for  their  native  land; 
And  truth  within  their  grasp  had  nobler  sweep 
Than  conquerors'  swords  that  Honor's  harvests  reap. 
Religion's  cause  inspired  them:  'twas  their  hour 
To  add  new  height  to  Zion's  beacon-tower. 
They  toiled  for  man — that  mortals  need  not  fear 
To  miss  salvation's  pathway,  once  so  clear, 
And  while  with  brave  and  patient  hands  they  mowed 
The  upstart  growths  that  choked  the  heavenly  road, 
Like  them  who  Jordan's  oaks  by  Grilgal  slew 
They  smote  to  save,  and  spoiled  to  make  anew. 
Error's  tall  wildings  cleft  in  planks  of  strength, 
And  branching  mischiefs  laid  at  harmless  length, 
Experience  carved  from  danger,  hope  from  fear, 
And  green  pretension  slain  to  life  sincere, 
Opinions  tough  thro'  long  polemic  storm, 
And  rank  young  fancies,  pruned  alike  to  form 
Eccentric  theories  tamed  in  rash  increase, 
And  sprouting  hatreds  punished  into  peace, 
Warped  sterns  of  doctrine  straightened  on  the  ground, 
Folly's  soft  saplings  hewed  to  wisdom  sound, 
Hall-truths  for  use  transfixed  in  swift  escape, 
Raw  notions  whittled  into  safer  shape, 
Lopped  and  converted  water-shoots  of  doubt, 
False  scions  cut  to  bleed  their  poison  out, 
And  high-grown  learning  clipped  and  sanctified, 
And  sundered  trunks  of  sophistry  and  pride, 
And  baffled  heresy,  and  pricked  conceit, 
And  roots  of  bitterness  crushed  under  feet — 
These  were  their  trophies ;  gracious  Providence 
Would  ma&e  faith's  perils  furnish  faith's  defence, 
And  bid  her  champions  bear  the  spoils  they  win 
Home  to  their  infant  walls,  and  build  them  in. 
Such  was  th'  eternal  plan, — that  ruined  wrong 
Should  make  the  towers  of  righteousness  more  strong ; 
That  holiest  good  should  spring  from  evil  slain, 
And  ransomed  losses  heighten  final  gain, 
And  things  of  blessing  grow  from  things  accurst, 
And  in  one  race  the  best  replace  the  worst, 
Till  Adam's  glory  quenched  in  Jesus  beamed, 
And  man  once  fallen  rose  to  man  redeemed. 


02 


And  so  the  work  went  on :  those  royal  few 
Each  to  the  burden  set  his  shoulder  true. 
And  soon  on  massive  mound  and  solid  pier, 
In  strength  firm-pinioned,  growing,  tier  on  tier, 
Went  up  the  walls, — and  stately  stood,  and  still, 
Faith's  edifice  on  fair  East  Windsor  Hill. 

The  prophets  had  their  home  ;  but  full  reward  * 

Must  wait  while  yet  they  build ed  for  the  Lord. 
Nor  were  their  future  trials  unforeshown 
When  white-haired  Perkins  laid  the  corner-stone : 
They  saw  unmoved  their  high  adventure  born 
'Mid  forests  of  distrust  and  envious  scorn, 
And  knew  that,  win  or  fail,  as  heaven  should  please, 
The  "ax  of  Truth  must  strike  unyielding  trees. 
Yet  bated  not  their  toil  those  workmen  stern, 
Nor  spared  the  edge,  to  sever  and  discern, 
Where  fatal  frauds  and  loose  beliefs  prevailed, 
Nor  missed  a  stroke, — until  their  money  failed. 

Ah,  what  to  pious  knight  or  crusade  king 
Is  heaven-forged  weapon,  if  it  will  not  swing  ? 
Thoughtful  they  paused.     In  vain  the  champion's  might 
With  steel  unsocketed  in  act  to  smite  ! 
No  matter  "where  it  fell,"  the  blade  new-drawn 
Lay  ineffectual  with  its  handle  gone, 
And  hinted  duty  and  remembered  text, 
That  needy  hour,  their  Christian  souls  perplexed. 
"  Shall  God  on  man  depend,  and  truth  no  more 
Unfurnished  win  its  way,  as  when  of  yore 
John  and  Elijah  preached  in  camel's  hair 
From  a  turf  pulpit,  in  the  open  air  ?  " 
And  then  their  musings  took  a  deeper  tone, 
"  The  ax  was  borrowed, — it  was  not  our  own. 
The  heir  loom  of  eternity  unpriced, 
We  had  it  from  the  wounded  hands  of  Christ : 
Tempered  in  altar-fires,  at  countless  cost, 
What  would  be  said  in  heaven  if  it  were  lost  ?  " 

But  soon  they  faced  their  trial  unappalled, 
And  timely  aid  serener  thoughts  recalled, 
For  the  great  Master,  whom  their  hearts  adored, 
To  their  miscarried  power  the  stock  restored, 
And  stretching  hands  of  faith,  those  holy  men, 
Rejoicing,  felt  it  in  their  grasp  again. 

And  ever  after,  if,  by  hap  or  blame 
The  truth  fell  sidelong,  cheated  of  its  aim, 


93 


When  Geshems  and  Tobiahs  lurked  behind, 
And  sly  Sanballats  plotted,  sapped,  and  mined, 
When  friends  were  few,  and  fewer  came  to  fill 
The  empty  halls  and  chambers  on  the  "  Hill," 
Surely  and  soon  the  helpless  moment  passed, 
And  patience  found  its  arm  of  strength  at  last. 
Take  courage,  men  of  God,  and  learn  to  bless 
The  same  recovery  in  the  same  distress. 
These  are  but  casual  slips  :  the  grand  career 
Stops  not  for  trifles  happening  there  or  here 
To  warn  our  wisdom  that  tor  weak  or  strong 
Eight  has  its  accidents  as  well  as  wrong." 

So  the  brave  workmen  cheered  their  hearts— and  loved 
The  more  their  sacred  trust  in  peril  proved, 
As  each  misfortune  taught  them  more  to  prize 
The  wondrous  weapon  lent  them  from  the  skies. 
It  was  their  miracle.     No  hard  rebuff 
Could  dull  a  tool  of  such  celestial  stuff, 
Nor  theft  nor  burial  hide  it  anywhere 
Beyond  the  summons  of  their  faithful  prayer. 
And  when  from  their  old  home's  abandoned  wall 
They  dreamed  they  heard  it  in  the  river  fall, 
And  faltering  friends,  with  weak,  untimely  pride, 
Passed  by  East  Windsor  on  the  other  side, 
So  far  from  ended  was  its  mission  then, 
It  swam  to  Hartford— and  began  again. 
There  for  its  tireless  force  the  prophets  found 
Unhindered  task  on  better  vantage-ground  ; 
Their  prayers  were  answered ;  all  their  doubts  were  gone  : 
Hope  gave  the  word—and  still  the  work  went  on. 

Brethren  and  fathers ;  many  a  morrow's  sun 
Must  rise  and  set  before  your  work  is  done. 
When  culture,  from  the  heights  where  science  feeds 
In  "new  departure"  sends  her  tinkered  creeds, 
When  Paul's  plain  text  philosophy  defines 
To  suit  smart  thinkers  tired  of  Gospel  lines, 
When  faith's  strait  way  is  broad  and  broader  made, 
And  skeptics  gladden  at  the  easier  grade, 
And  depth  of  grace  that  means  a  heart  renewed 
Is  changed  for  theologic  latitude  ; — 
When  round  the  house  of  God  such  plants  as  these 
Grow  tall,  and  crowd  the  grand  primeval  trees, 
Firm  at  your  station  duty  bids  you  stand 
In  full  fidelity  of  heart  and  hand. 


The  garden  of  the  church  is  choked  ;  and  here 

In  your  untiring, strife  to  keep  it  clear 

Against  the  upshoots  of  anointed  sham, 

Your  tool  of  strength  must  be  the  ax  that  swam. 

Still  wield  the  ancient  truth,  and,  in  your  hold, 

Plied  with  such  vigor,  and  with  zeal  as  bold 

As  fired  the  spirits  of  the  holy  Twelve, 

The  Salem  blade  with  the  East  Windsor  helve 

Will  cut  resistless  till  its  way  is  won, 

And  the  Voice  over  Jordan  speaks — "  Well  done ;  " 

And  your  victorious  souls  within  the  vail, 

With  sainted  Tyler,  Nettleton,  and  Yale, 

Perkins,  and  Ely,  Dow,  Calhoun,  and  Dodd, 

And  Hyde,  and  Spring,  and  Tenney,  rest  in  God. 

Benignant  Tyler  !  foremost  in  the  band 
Whose  faith  this  fort  of  orthodoxy  planned, — 
The  dew  of  his  sweet  influence  still  is  shed 
On  us  who  heard  the  gracious  words  he  said, 
And  his  dear  memory  to  new  joy  unfolds 
Each  thankful  heart  that  now  his  image  holds. 
His  was  a  noble  presence,  frank,  refined, 
To  win  obeisance  from  the  manliest  mind, 
While  all  his  balanced  powers  confirmed  and  held 
Perpetual  the  respect  his  mien 'compelled. 
Prophet  of  God,  with  Moses'  meekness  crowned  ! 
Was  ever  leader  wiser,  kinder  found  ? 
And  say,  what  cloistered  doctor  could  exceed 
In  piety  that  Israelite  indeed  ? 
He  was  a  man  of  prayer,  profoundly  good, 
And  brave  as  Samuel  by  the  Ark  he  stood ; 
A  man  of  peace,  yet  strenuous  to  contend 
When  speculation  dared  the  truth  to  bend : 
Strong  in  the  Word,  one  aim  his  soul  engrossed, 
To  teach  the  sense  that  honors  God  the  most, 
While  faithful,  scorning  all  sophistic  play, 
He  led  to  heaven  by  the  straightest  way. 
We  have  not  lost  him  ;  still  affection's  eye 
Traces  his  lengthened  pathway  to  the  sky, 
And  follows  far,  where  up  the  blue  incline 
His  pure  life,  passing,  left  its  shining  line, 
Till  his  calm  face  and  well-known  smile  are  seen 
Among  the   haloed  heads  in  bliss  serene. 
The  same  blest  presence  to  our  filial  thought 
Pervades  where  long  and  last  he  toiled  and  taught, 


95 


Where  sympathies  of  faith  immortal  meet, 

And  chastened  sorrow,  and  remembrance  sweet, 

And  greeting  peace,  and  loyalty  renewed, 

And  reverence,  and  praise,  and  gratitude, 

And  love,  thro'  winter's  irost  and  summer's  bloom 

With  tender  gifts  come  pilgrims  to  his  tomb. 

There,  'neath  the  shadow  of  familiar  walls, 

With  nearer  voice  his  benediction  falls, 

While  yet,  with  vaster  view  of  things  below, 

He  marks  our  warfare,  hails  each  noble  blow, 

And  calls  from  heights  through  holy  struggles  won 

Be  strong,  my  children  !     Let  the  work  go  on  !  " 


Reminiscence  by  Rev.  H.  H.  Kelsey  of  the  class  of  '79. 


I  have  been  asked  to  refer  to  the  transitional  period  of  the 
Seminary's  history.  I  suppose  this  topic  was  given  to  me 
because  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  connected  with  the 
Seminary  for  two  or  three  years  on  each  side  of  its  transition 
from  Prospect  to  Broad  Streets.  It  was  my  fortune,  or  my 
/ate,  to  be  present  when  the  Seminary  moved — a  fortune,  per- 
haps, since  there  was  given  me,  a  lot  granted  to  but  few  mor- 
tals— to  see  a  theological  seminary  u  on  wheels."  It  certainly 
was  a  fate  to  be  so  situated  that  your  conscience  compelled 
you  to  help  lift  the  Seminary  on  wheels,  especially  when  the 
major  part  of  her  material  movable  substance  consisted  of 
books.  I  helped  moved  the  library  twice  ;  in  1877,  when  we 
moved  6,700  vols.  from  33  to  46  Prospect  St.;  in  1880,  when 
we  moved  12,000  vols.  to  Broad  St.  We  hope  the  time  is  not 
far  distant  when  somebody  will  be  obliged  to  move  40,000 
vols.  into  a  new  and  permanent  home. 

We  left  Prospect  St.,  not  with  regrets,  but  with  many  pleas- 
ant, tender,  sacred  memories.  We  students  had  a  good  time 
there.  We  doubt  if  our  successors  in  their  present  generous 
and  beautiful  home  have  a  better.  There  was  a  peculiar  social 
ease  and  freeness  of  life  in  those  habitations  of  a  departed 
aristocracy.  I  think,  too,  that  there  was  a  little  flavor  of 
social  distinction  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  pi  ace  which  we  felt. 
Prospect  St.  wras  once  the  court  street  of  Hartford,  and  the 
most  famous  house  on  the  street  was  the  Wadsworth  mansion 
in  which  we  lived.  It  was  the  home  of  Col.  Jeremiah  Wads- 
worth,  known  in  Revolutionary  history  as  an  efficient  officer 
of  the  army,  and  a  trusted  friend  of  Washington.  Whenever 


97 

Washington  was  in  this  region  the  Wadsworth  house  was  his 
home.  When  Benedict  Arnold  was  committing  his  act  of 
treason  at  West  Point,  Washington  with  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  were  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  Col.  Wadsworth's 
board,  in  the  very  room  which  was  our  chapel  and  Hebrew 
recitation -room.  The  Day  honse,  No.  48  Prospect  St.,  where 
we  dined  and  supped,  was  the  home  of  Hon.  Thomas  Day, 
for  many  years  Secretary  of  the  State.  His  name  appeared 
on  all  Fast  Day  and  Thanksgiving  proclamations,  which 
always  closed  with  the  following  words :  "  Servile  labor  and 
vain  recreation,  on  said  clay,  are  by  law  prohibited.  By  His 
Excellency's  command,  Thomas  Day,  Sec'y." 

These  famous  houses,  had  they  been  of  the  15th  century, 
might  have  been  haunted,  and  have  been  thus  doubly  famous. 
For  I  doubt  if  there  were  in  this  country  a  better  place  for 
restless  spirits  than  the  unused  attics,  by-ways,  and  labyrinths 
of  the  Wadsworth  house.  I  do  not  think  we  should  have  been 
much  surprised,  if,  when  we  occasionally  discovered  some 
unknown  room  or  unused  passage,  we  had  found  it  inhabited. 
There  was  enough  of  the  famous,  the  romantic,  and  ghostly 
about  the  place  to  make  it  interesting.  I  think  we  students 
had  a  better  time  there  than  the  professors.  JSTo  rooms  could 
be  much  more  unsuitable  for  lecture-rooms  than  were  those 
guest-chambers  of  the  Wadsworth  mansion.  They  were 
small,  the  light  was  bad,  and  the  ventilation — usually  there 
wasn't  any.  But  in  spite  of  the  infelicities  we  cherish  the 
memory  of  Prospect  Street.  We  cherish  the  memory  of  the 
earnest,  devotional  spirit  and  life  of  the  students.  Our  life 
was  free,  hearty,  and  sometimes  full  of  frolic.  Our  religious 
life,  too,  was  hearty  and  natural.  Evening  prayer  about  the 
tables  in  the  dining-room  !  It  was  family  prayer.  We  lived 
close  to  each  other.  Then  there  was  the  prayer-meeting  on 
Saturday  evening,  when  we  retired  from  the  supper-table  into 
the  room  adjoining,  and  together  confessed  our  sins  to  God, — 
and  sometimes  to  each  other :  rehearsed  our  experiences, 
named  our  difficulties  and  needs,  and  cried  to  God  for  help : 
and  always  remembered  in  our  prayers  those  of  our  number 

13 


98 

who  had  gone  for  .the  Sunday  to  preach,  and  all  who  had  gone 
out  from  the  Seminary  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Such  a  spirit 
of  devotion  and  healthy  earnestness  I  have  never  felt  else- 
where. This  student  prayer-meeting  is  one  of  the  elements 
of  this  Seminary's  present  influence  ;  one  of  the  sources  of 
its  spiritual  success. 

Were  there  time  I  should  like  to  speak  of  those  dining-room 
scenes.  When  I  was  in  the  Seminary  we  had  a  number  of 
"  characters  "  among  us,  and  not  infrequently  "  things  were 
lively."  I  would  not  have  you  infer  that  there  is  any  want 
of  character  among  the  students  at  the  present  time.  But 
perhaps  "  character,"  if  odd  or  witty,  was  discovered  more 
then  than  now  in  the  dining-room.  The  council  was  usually 
"by  itself,"  and  individualism  always  found  an  expression. 
Once  a  year  a  dinner  was  given  to  the  Faculty  and  resi- 
dent Trustees.  We  then  showed  our  dignity — and  good 
appetites.  Good  appetites,  however,  were  never  wanting,  for 
"Margaret"  and  "Kate"  were  a  part  of  the  corporation  and 
governing  body  of  the  institution,  and  a  good  dinner  was  one 
of  the  certainties  of  each  day's  experience.  Never  a  shadow 
of  a  fear  of  the  dyspeptic  iiend  on  Prospect  St. ! 

When  we  moved  we  left  behind  us  discomforts  many,  humil- 
iations many,  but  pleasures  many  as  well.  In  the  Wads- 
worth  house  we  had  tugged  lustily  at  tough  Hebrew  roots ; 
we  had  learned  the  use  of  the  Greek  aorist.  There  we  had 
been  admonished  and  instructed  by  our  professors  in  regard 
to  family  government.  There  we  laughed,  there  we  prayed, 
there  we  together  sung  hymns  of  praise.  There  we  together 
bowed  in  sorrow,  as  we  bore  thence  the  form  of  one  who  loved 
this  Seminary  as  she  was  herself  loved  by  all  who  knew  her. 
Sacred  memories,  these,  of  sacred  seasons,  never  to  be  for- 
gotten ! 

But  when  we  moved  we  were  more  busied  with  our  antici- 
pations. The  future  was  more  to  us  then  than  the  past.  How 
faithfully  we  superintended  the  building  of  this  Hall  the  car- 
penters will  all  bear  witness.  We  were  anxious  to  move. 
Delays  were  extremely  tedious.  We  came  to  this  new  home 


99 

with  great  expectations.  In  nothing  were  we  disappointed. 
We  were  grateful  to  God  for  his  goodness.  We  were  grate- 
ful to  our  benefactor  who  gave  us  this  beautiful  home,  whose 
venerable  form  we  all  reverently  followed  to  its  last  resting- 
place.  We,  of  the  transitional  period,  rejoiced,  and  do 
rejoice  greatly  in  the  rapidly-increasing  influence  of  this  our 
beloved  Seminary.  We  join  you  all  in  the  congratulations 
of  this  happy  anniversary,  and  we  pray  now  as  ever  for  the 
prosperity  and  peace  of  our  Alma  Mater. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS. 


The  following  selection  lias  been  made  from  the  many  let- 
ters presented  by  Rev.  "W.  S.  Hawkes,  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence,  who  introduced  the  reading  of  extracts  from 
them  with  this  explanation  : 

"  Many  answers  have  been  received  to  the  circular  which 
was  sent  to  the  alumni  for  reminiscences  of  their  seminary 
life.  The  following  extracts  from  these  letters  give  a  fail- 
picture  of  successive  periods  in  the  Seminary's  history  as  it 
now  abides  in  memory.  It  is  proposed  to  deposit  all  these 
letters  in  the  alumni  alcove  of  the  library  for  future  reference. 
Through  the  kindness  of  Rev.  Dr.  A.  C.  Thompson,  we  have 
also  been  permitted  to  quote  from  letters  received  by  him 
from  our  foreign  missionary  alumni." 

Rev.  Professor  Philip  Schaff,  D.D. 

The  following  letter  from  Prof.  Schaif  pleasantly  prefaces 
the  reminiscences  of  the  alumni,  some  of  whom  were  his 
pupils  when  he  was  a  lecturer  in  the  Institute  : 

AMERICAN  BIBLE  REVISION  COMMITTEE, 

NEW  YORK,  May  2. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Thompson : 

Nothing  would  give  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  partici- 
pate in  the  semi-centenary  festivities  of  Hartford  Theological 
Seminary,  which  I  had  the  honor  and  pleasure  to  serve  as  a 
lecturer  on  "  Church  History  "  for  several  years,  and  whose 
growing  importance  and  prosperity  I  have  followed  with  great 
satisfaction  to  this  day.  It  is  now  one  of  the  very  best  theological 
institutions  of  the  country,  and  has  a  great  future  before  it. 
I  count  it  a  great  privilege  that  I  was  permitted  to  secure  for 


101 

it  one  professor  and  to  recommend  two   others,  who  have 
proved  efficient  and  faithful  teachers  of  sound  theology. 

Unfortunately  I  am  unable  to  attend,  as  I  expect  to  sail 
for  Europe  May  7th,  and  am  just  now  overwhelmed  with 
examinations,  preparations,  and  all  sorts  of  work.  But  my 
heart  will  be  with  you,  and  my  best  wishes  and  prayers  for 
yourself,  your  colleagues,  and  your  institution,  to  which  you 
have  devoted  your  life. 

I  am,  my  dear  Dr.  Thompson, 

Most  truly  yours, 

PHILIP  SCHAFF. 

Congratulatory  Note  from  the   President   of  Middlebury   College. 

MIDDLEBUKY,  May  20,  1884. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Thompson: 

Allow  me  to  send  you  my  Christian  congratulations  on  the 
semi-centennial  which  you  have  celebrated. 

The  history  of  the  Seminary  is  a  noble  and  instructive  one. 
God  does  not  forsake  his  servants  who  persevere  unto  the  end. 
The  Seminary  has  had  its  dark  days,  but  now  the  heavens 
are  clear  and  bright.  Your  owrn  connection  with  it  is  unique. 
Prof.  Packard  of  Bowdoin  College  is  the  only  case  I  know  of 
that  can  compare  with  it.  To  work  half  a  century  for  and 
in  one  institution  has  been,  given  to  very  few.  You  may  well 
say  :  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me 
bless  His  holy  name." 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

C.  HAMLIN. 

Josiah  Wolcott  Tuner,  '36,  Strongvilk,  0. 

Among  all  the  letters  received  scarcely  one  is  written  in  a 
firmer,  clearer  hand  than  that  of  the  only  student  on  the 
ground  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  first  Seminary 
building  at  East  Windsor  Hill,  now  in  his  73d  year.  And  it 
is  cause  for  congratulation  that  we  should  have  his  full  and 
interesting  reminiscences  : 

a  It  was  my  privilege  to  be  present  at  the  ceremonies  of 
laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  first  Seminary  building  ;  also 


102 

to  hear  the  inaugural  address  of  Dr.  Tyler.  I  shall  never 
forget  how  the  venerable  Dr.  Perkins  of  West  Hartford  was 
led  through  the  crowd  to  the  consecrated  spot,  and  there,  with 
trembling  hands  and  voice,  but  with  a  firm  faith,  laid  the 

foundation Dr.  Tyler  was  the  only  professor  or  teacher 

present,  unless  it  were  Dr.  Nettleton,  and  I  happened  to  be 
the  only  student  then  on  the  ground,  and  was  probably  the 
only  spectator,  from  out  of  town,  now  living.  Soon  after 
this,  however,  other  students  came  ;  first  Brother  Ellery  Tyler 
and  John  Goddard  ;  then  Goodale,  Perry,  Payne,  Haven,  and 
Ives.  For  some  time  Dr.  Tyler  was  our  only  instructor,  but 
he  was  a  host  in  himself,  and  one  whose  memory  will  ever  be 
fondly  cherished  by  his  pupils.  Not  long  after  came  our  loved 
and  now  venerable  Professor  Thompson, — then  young  and 
vigorous.  How  he  put  us  to  digging  up  the  tough  Hebrew 
roots,  himself  leading  the  way  !  ....  In  due  order  came 
Dr.  Coggswell,  leading  us  through  the  realm  of  ecclesiastical 
history,  ever  swayed  by  the  profoundest  enthusiasm  for  his 
own  department.  In  a  good  sense  he  always  '  magnified  his 
office.'  If  last,  by  no  means  least,  came  Dr.  Nettleton.  His 
'  familiar  talks,'  as  he  modestly  persisted  in  calling  them,  were 
among  the  best  and  most  practical  lectures  we  were  privileged 

to  hear They  have  been  of  great  service  to  me  all 

through  my  ministry,  now  of  more,  than  forty-seven  years." 

Lyman  Whiting,  '42,   Cambridge,  Mass. 

"  Sunset  was  just  drawing  its  tinted  web  over  the  hushed 
elms,  sandy  roads,  and  the  newish-,  lone,  stately  hall,  the 
'  Seminary.'  Four  even  brick  stories  —  two  front  doors, 
orderly  rows  of  cheerful  windows,  with  a  kindly,  twilight 
smile  on  them.  Inside  are  thirty  students  ;  and  space  plente- 
ous for  each.  President  Tyler,  Professors  Coggswell  and 
Thompson,  the  teachers.  An  i  assistant '  just  home  from  Ger- 
manland,  scholarlike,  choice,  and  winning  as  a  new  Hebrew 
Chrestomathy, —  was  Augustus  C.  Thompson,  A.M.  He 
taught  all  manner  of  wisdom  between  Aleph  and  the  Hith- 
pael.  Some  student  voiced  the  '  morning  prayer.'  At  even- 


103 

ing  the  loved  teachers,  a  patriarchal  group,  came  in  and 
led  us. 

"Dr.  Tyler's  lectures,  made  for  his  Portland  pulpit,  kept 
the  grasp,  throb,  and  almost  pulpit  wrestling  in  them  as  at 
first.  In  the  chapel  pulpit,  his  '  strength  and  beauty,'  his 
flash  and  flame,  were  seen  and  felt.  A  master  in  Israel, 
truly,  he  was. 

"  Dr.  Coggswell  strode  through  church  history  somewhat 
as  we  fancy  a  Yantic  Sachem  roamed  along  the  meadows  of 
the  big  river  beside  which  we  dwelt.  The  c  old  theology ' 
got  illumined  in  his  free,  fervid,  gushing  colloquies  with  us. 

"  The  Melancthon  of  that  era  sat  with  us  in  Greek  Testa- 
ment Exegesis  and  Biblical  Literature.  But  his  garland  is 
not  yet  all  woven.  Daily  Dr.  Nettleton  came  to  sit  awhile 
with  the  President.  He  was  clean  in  person,  so  tidy  in  attire  ; 
each  foot-fall  a  nicety ;  the  face  so  apostolic,  the  eye  ceaseless 
in  recognitions,  and  a  little  like  the  fabled  ancient  ring,  which 
took  a  copy  of  the  inside  of  each  heart  its  facets  were  turned 
upon.  Wondrous  man  ;  more  a  vision  then,  than  '  one  like 
us.'  So  silent,  almost  speechless  !  Once  I  heard  him  read, 
inimitably,  in  the  Scriptures." 

Hiram  Day,  '42,  Olencoe,  Cook  Co.,  III. 

....  "  When  I  was  ready  for  my  theological  studies  I 
wrote  Dr.  Tyler  inquiring  if  the  theology  of  Edwards  and 
Dwight  was  taught  in' the  Theological  Institute  of  Connecti- 
cut. In  reply  Dr.  Tyler  inclosed  to  me  the  creed  of  the  Insti- 
tute ;  and  it  was  all  right Dr.  Tyler  was  to  me  the 

model  instructor  in  theology.  Dr.  Coggswell  was  my  teacher 
in  church  history  ;  and  he  taught  well,  and  only  failed  to  con- 
vince any  of  my  class  that  Adam  could  not  talk  until  God 

had  taught  him  to  do  so  by  talking  to  him The  course 

of  instruction  in  the  theological  department  of  the  Institute 
.  .  .  .  was  plain,  scriptural,  and  never  unfair  or  belligerent 
in  the  treatment  of  contrary  opinions If  this  Semi- 
nary hereafter  shall  hold  the  same  system  of  doctrinal  faith, 
it  shall  be  found  for  a  long  time  to  come  that  its  mission  is 


104 

unchanged,  its  service  not  yet  completed I  regard  it 

as  a  great  favor  of  Providence  that  I  was  directed  to  our 
beloved  alma  mater  in  theology." 

Henry  Beach  Blake,  '44. 

"  My  memories  of  Dr.  Nettleton,  which  are  quite  vivid,  are 
of  his  sick  bed.  I  was  asked  one  vacation  to  spend  a  night 
with  him,  which  I  did.  He'  seemed  to  take  a  fancy  to  me  as 
a  night  watcher,  and  sent  for  me  often.  I  spent  many  a 
night  with  him. 

" '  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate 
Is  privileged  beyond  the  common  walk 
Of  virtuous  life  ; — quite  in  the  verge  of  heaven.' 

"  He  slept  little ;  talked  a  great  deal.  The  scenes  in  which 
he  was  an  actor  in  the  great  revivals  through  which  he  had 
passed  were  always  very  vivid,  and  the  impressions  were  very 
vivid  to  me. 

"His  expositions  of  Scripture  were  many,  incisive,  original. 
One  night  we  heard  a  cock  crowing,  and  he  said  the  selection 
of  the  crowing  of  a  cock  as  the  sign  of  the  fall  and  penitence 
of  Peter  was  an  evidence  of  the  Divine  Wisdom  of  the  Mas- 
ter. He  said  the  common  opinion  that  cocks  crow  only  at 
certain  times  in  the  night,  was  erroneous.  But  the  cock  wras 
a  domestic  bird  among  all  nations,  and  that  in  all  ages,  to  the 
end  of  time,  and  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  lonely 
watchers  in  the  silent  hours  would  be  reminded  of  the  inci- 
dent in  Peter's  history,  and  led  to  solemn  thought  upon 
unseen  and  eternal  things. 

"  I  have  always  deemed  the  impressions  received  from  Dr. 
Nettletoir,  during  the  months  and  years  he  lay  dying  in  that 
hallowed  chamber,  as  among  the  most  valued  results  of  my 
theological  course." 

Thomas  Henderson  Rouse,  '50,  Paia,  Maui,  Hawaiian  Islands. 

"  It  was  in  the  fall  of  '47"  that  I  came  to  the  old  Seminary. 
I  found  it  a  large,  lonely,  four-story  brick  building,  with  a 
chapel  beside  it,  on  a  quiet,  elm-lined  street,  which  was  ankle 


105 

deep  with  sand  for  miles,  overlooking  the  valley  of  the  Con- 
necticut, with  its  thrifty  farms  and  waving  orchards. 

"  The  place  was  still  and  lonely.  At  long  intervals  a  car- 
riage passed  or  a  loaded  cart  filed  in  from  the  meadows.  The 
arrival  of  the  evening  stage,  on  its  way  to  Broad  Brook,  was 
the  stirring  event  of  the  day.  Then  the  students  turned  out 
and  the  professors  took  their  evening  stroll.  It  was  our  only 
connection  with  the  busy  world  without.  It  brought  our 
papers,  our  new  books,  which  were  distributed  from  Mr. 
Charlton's  store,  with  many  a  graceful  bow,  and  liquid,  mean- 
dering remarks  of  compliment  or  sympathy,  from  the  gracious 
old  gentleman.  The  lightning  trains  sped  by  in  the  far  dis- 
tance over  the  Connecticut,  reached  only  by  a  lazy,  rope 
ferry,  tooted  up  by  a  tin  horii. 

"  It  was  a  good  place  to  study.  You  had  to  study.  There 
was  absolutely  nothing  else  to  do.  Not  a  sight  or  sound  to 
excite  or  distract  the  mind,  except  the  songs  of  the  robins  and 
meadow  larks.  If  you  did  not  study  you  would  die  with 
ennui.  The  carpenter's  shop,  where  we  planned  out  book- 
cases, and  the  garden  weedy,  and  full  of  everlasting  quack- 
grass,  soon  cloyed  on  our  enterprise.  I  needed  no  outward 
pressure  to  drive  me  to  study  afterwards.  The  habits  of  quiet 
investigation  formed  there  have  stuck  by  me. 

"  At  11  o'clock  the  bell  sounded  for  lectures,  the  door  of 
the  President's  mansion  opened,  and  he  moved  slowly  down 
the  walk,  crossed  the  street,  and,  with  his  manuscript  under 
his  arm,  ascended  to  the  lecture-room.  He  seemed  at  first 
look  the  embodiment  of  a  sound  and  well-rounded  theology. 
A  dozen  or  fifteen  students,  often  less,  filed  in  about  the  same 
time.  When  all  were  seated,  a  short  invocation  was  addresse'd 
to  '  The  greatest  and  best  of  Beings  ' — the  doctor's  peculiar 
phrase,  and  the  lecture  commenced.  The  old  doctor  sat  in 
delivery.  His  tones  at  first  were  deep,  low,  and  deliberate, 
varied  with  a  peculiar  emphasis,  when  he  closed  some  ponder- 
ous sentence,  as  a  clencher  to  his  argument.  As  he  proceeded 
he  waxed  more  earnest,  as  the  visions  of  Taylorism  and  the 
New-Light  heresies,  with  their  destructive  innovations,  rose  to 
view  between  the  lines  of  his  manuscript,  and  the  pent  ener- 

14 


106 

gies  fired  his  delivery.  His  face  flushed,  the  big  veins  in  his 
lofty  forehead  swelled  to  whipcords,  his  right  arm  became 
impatient,  and  his  clenched  hand  ploughed  slowly  but  in- 
tensely along  the  table,  and  every  word  seemed  to  weigh  a 
solid  pound,  as  he  drove  into  us  the  good,  old,  biblical  theol- 
ogy. He  generally  remained  sitting  awhile  like  a  patriarch, 
inviting  the  confidence  of  his  pupils,  who  crowded  around 
with  question  or  request. 

"  In  Greek  and  Hebrew  we  had  Dr.  Thompson.  In  recita- 
tion he  was  tender  of  your  crude  expositions, — scarcely  ever 
directly  disputing  you, — and  in  his  correction  saved  all  he 
consistently  could  of  your  rendering.  But  the  veteran  pro- 
fessor and  venerable  dean  is  still  among  us, — the  last  of  the 
Seminary  fathers, — and  I  forbear.  I  speak  of  him  as  he  was 
thirty -six  years  ago,  hair  black  and  bushy,  covering  a  grand 
forehead  and  deep-set  eyes.  But  now  the  granite  gray  crowns 
that  self-poised  brain,  solid  and  well  in  hand,  while  beneath 
is  a  heart  true  to  you  and  true  to  duty.  '  In  coelwn  serus 
redeat.' 

"  The  sweet,  amiable,  gentle  Dr.  Hooker  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  while  I  was  there.  In  his  pulpit  prayers 
he  was  most  tender  and  touching.  Poor  man,  he  knew  too 
well  how  to  enter  into  some  of  life's  deepest  trials,  for  he  had 
that  greatest  of  sorrows,  a  wife  insane.  In  his  addresses  at  a 
throne  of  grace  there  always  came,  in  tones  of  touching  ten- 
derness, the  petition  for  those  '  That  had  diseases  of  the  mind.' 
From  this  source  there  came  sorrow  upon  sorrow.  There  was 
living  with  him  at  East  "Windsor  a  daughter ;  tall,  beautiful, 
accomplished, — a  very  angel  with  infolded  wings,  of  a  spirit 
SQ  devoted  and  tender,  heavenly  and  sad  withal,  that  her 
walk  among  us  was  like  some  superior  being,  the  shadow  of 
whose  coming  and  going  filled  us  with  a  kind  of  awe.  She 
had  spoken  of  herself  as  a  shadow  on  her  home,  and  other 
expressions  of  deep  despondency,  when  like  a  shock  and  a 
deep  shadow  indeed,  the  news  came  on  a  dark  winter  morn- 
ing, bitter  cold,  that  she  was  missing.  The  searchers  traced 
her  footsteps  to  the  frozen  river.  From  under  the  ice  they 
drew  her  lifeless  form,  carried  it  to  the  home  she  had  graced, 


107 

and  from  thence  to  its  last  resting-place.  Well  might  that 
father  say,  '  There  are  no  sorrows  like  unto  my  sorrows.'  We 

t/  '  »/ 

all  felt  so,  in  our  weak  faith.  But  he,  so  nearly  sanctified, 
only  drew  nearer  to  the  side  of  God,  like  a  child  fully  weaned, 
saying,  '  My  Father,  Thy  will  be  done.' 

u  Next  to  the  professors  about  the  old  Seminary,  we  often- 
est  saw  that  careful,  shrewd,  conscientious  old  Yankee  farmer, 
Deacon  Ellsworth,  lay  defender  of  the  faith.  There  was 
always  a  sly,  watchful,  half  suspicious,  yet  genial  smile  on  his 
honest  face,  as  he  came  looking  about  the  halls  and  buildings, 
as  though  he  loved  his  boys  dearly,  yet  thought  they  would 
bear  watching, — were  not  wholly  lifted  above  the  liability  to 
sins, — of  carelessness,  at  least ;  and  I  think  that  was  the  case. 
He  frowned  a  little  when  he  found  the  doors  slamming  in  the 
wind,  the  blinds  shattering  themselves  against  the  brick  walls, 
the  gates  going  to  pieces,  and  the  tools  lost  from  the 
work-shop,  and  other  indications  of  a  general  heedlessness. 
Precious  old  Seminary  sentinel !  His  carefulness  taught  us 
care  and  economy,  and  how  to  combine  shrewdness  with  thrift, 
and,  when  he  died,  a  pang  came  over  us  that  we  had  not  been 
more  careful  of  the  sacred  pence  committed  to  his  keeping. 
'  A  faithful  man  who  can  find.'  Oh !  Psalmist,  if  you  had  lived 
in  these  latter  days,  and  had  known  Deacon  Ellsworth,  you 
need  not  have  despaired.'" 

Robert  Dexter  Miller,  '52,  West  Hartford,  Vt. 

u  Dr.  Bennett  Tyler  always  appears  in  the  foreground  of 
my  recollections 

"  At  the  close  of  our  graduating  exercises  ....  he  hap- 
pened to  meet  a  number  of  students,  gathered  in  front  of  the 
Seminary  buildings,  and  was  somehow  led  into  giving  us  a 
short  sketch  of  his  life.  He  said,  after  nineteen  years  of 
earnest  devotion  to  the  interests  of  this  new  enterprise,  that 
he  had  never  had  a  doubt  of  its  having  been  the  way  of  duty 
for  him  to  leave  the  large,  united,  prosperous  church  in  Port- 
land, and  take  and  hold  the  place  he  has  since  occupied ; — a 
place  ol  comparative  difficulty,  discouragement,  and  apparent 


108 

uncertainty.      I  well  recall  how  happy  the  great,  good  man 
seemed  to  be. 

"  Prof.  Gale,  our  Professor  in  Ecclesiastical  History,  who  of 
us  has  ever  felt  like  saying  anything  but  good  of  him,  so  genial, 
companionable,  and  helpful  ?  Those  many  practical  sugges- 
tions of  his  on  subjects  pertaining  to  the  gospel  minister's 
office-work,  given  so  pleasantly  in  off-hand  lecture-room 
talks ;  who  that  enjoyed  them  has  forgotten  them,  or  failed 
of  making  them  largely  profitable  as  a  pastor  in  doing  wisely 
and  effectively  the  duties  of  that  high  calling?" 

.  William  Brown  Lee,  '53. 

"  I  remember  that  one  day  in  the  early  fall  of  1850, 1  took 
an  old  rattle-to-bang  stage  at  the  American  hotel  in  Hartford, 
and  went  to  East  Windsor.  I  was  landed  on  the  sidewalk 
with  my  trunks,  in  front  of  the  old  Seminary  buildings, 
and  came  very  near  to  getting  into  a  muddle  with  the  stage- 
driver,  because  he  would  not  take  my  trunks  to  my  room. 
That  driver  was  a  citizen  of  East  Windsor,  and  knew,  and 
carefully  maintained,  and  defended  his  accustomed  rights. 
While  I  was  musing  on  the  steps  a  huge  form  came  rolling 
across  the  street  from  the  president's  house,  and  soon  the 
genial  Dr.  Tyler  grasped  me  by  the  hand  and  gave  me  a 
warm  welcome.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Thompson  soon  called  on  me, 
and  in  his  gentle  manner  and  kind  spirit,  made  me  begin 
to  feel  very  much  at  home.  1  called  Dr.  Tyler,  Paul ;  and 
Dr.  Thompson,  John ;  appellations  which  my  fellow-students 
will  remember  cleaved  to  our  beloved  professors. 

"I  had  purposed  to  stay  in  East  Windsor  only  a  single 
year,  and  then  go  to  Princeton:  but  got  so  in  love  with 
Tyler,  and  Thompson,  and  Gale,  and  Lawrence,  and  Hooker, 
that  I  abandoned  the  plan  of  going  away.  We  cast  the 
world  behind  our  backs,  and  let  it  wag  in  its  own  way, 
while  we  gave  ourselves  to  study  and  to  prayer ;  to  dis- 
cussions, to  lectures  and  debates ;'  to  cutting  and  splitting 
our  own  wood ;  to  gardening  in  the  large  and  beautiful  gar- 
den back  of  the  Seminary ;  and  to  mechanical  pursuits  in 


109 

the  carpenter  house ;  but  I  never  knew  anyone  to  overwork 
either  in  garden  or  carpenter  shop.  We  used  to  go  on  long 
rambles,  and  often  on  rides  to  Hartford.  We  played  daily, 
in  good  weather,  at  the  game  of  loggerheads,  by  which  we 
nearly  ruined  the  lawn,  much  to  the  discomforture  of  good 
Deacon  Ellsworth ;  peace  to  his  ashes.  Ours  was  a  thorough 
country  life." 

Benjamin  Parsons,  '54,  Windham,  Greene  County,  N.  Y. 

.  .  .  .  "  The  three  years  I  spent  in  study  at  the  Theological 

Institute  at  East  Windsor  Hill  were  agreeable  to  me My 

ambition,  spurred  on  by  the  proffer  of  a  pecuniary  prize  to  the 
candidate  passing  the  best  examination  in  theology  as  taught 
(in  Latin)  by  Francois  Turretin,  led  me  to  supplement,  for  two 
years,  my  study  of  English  works  on  theology,  with  diligent 
study  of  the  methodical  and  terse  writings  of  that  distin- 
guished successor  of  John  Calvin.  The  gaining  of  the  whole 
prize  for  the  first,  and  half  of  it  for  the  second  year,  was . 
of  trivial  importance,  compared  with  the  broadening  and 
deepening  and  solidifying  of  views  which  resulted  from  that 
study,  and  for  which  I  can  never  be  too  grateful. 

"  Our  life  at  the  Hill  was,  of  course,  not  eventful 

In  the  meantime,  however,  we  were  not  so  isolated  but  that 
the  woes  and  wants  of  a  world  '  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,' 

could  and  did  reach  us,  making  a  mighty  appeal So 

strong  was  the  interest  at  one  time,  that  several  members  of 
the  class  of  1853  seemed  very  likely  to  devote  themselves  to 
labor  in  foreign  lands.  I  think,  however,  that  only  Rev. 
Charles  Hart  well  went  abroad.  In  my  own  class,  that  of 
1854,  the  missionary  spirit  prevailed  to  such  an  extent  that 
Caiiton  went  to  Siam,  Adams  to  Africa,  (dying  soon  after  his 
arrival,  and  dying  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,)  Maccussohn  to  the 
Jews  of  Greece,  and  myself  to  the  Armenians  of  Asia  Minor. 
My  missionary  life  covered  a  period  of  only  six  years, 
and  those  were  six  of  the-  brightest  and  happiest  of  my  life. 
Among  the  items  which  contributed  to  make  them  such, 
I  found  the  pleasure  of  knowing  that  I  was  doing  good, 


110 

added  to  the  pleasure  of  endeavoring  to  do  good.  Here  is,  I 
think,  an  advantage  which  the  foreign  missionary  has  over 
many  a  hard-working  and  equally  faithful  laborer  in  our 

land 

"  I  see  no  good  reason  why,  from  an  institution  so  manned 
there  should  ever  be  graduated  a  single  specimen  of  the  order 
of  kid-gloved  sentimentalist,  place-seeking  adventurer,  pre- 
sumptuous, or  barely  half-fledged  theologian." 

Moses  Ttiurston  Runnels,  '56,  Sanbornton,  N.  H. 

"A  former  pastor  of  mine  in  southern  New  Hampshire, 
being  a  New  Haven  graduate,  exclaimed  to  a  friend,  on  hear- 
ing that  I  was  about  to  become  a  student  at  East  Windsor : 
'  Don't  let  him  go  there !  don't  let  him  go  there  ! !  They  are 
behind  the  age ; — and  behind  every  age.' 

"  I  have  never  heard  of  a  course  in  theology  in  any  institu- 
tion which  I  would  have  willingly  exchanged  for  that  of 
Dr.  Tyler's.  Once  in  a  week  our  three  professors  were 
accustomed  to  meet  all  the  students  of  an  evening  and  talk 
to  us  in  a  familiar  way  of  special  topics  which  might  prove 
of  practical  advantage  to  us  in  the  ministry,  drawing  largely 
from  their  own  experience.  The  hints  thrown  out  at  those 
gatherings  have  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  me  all  through 
my  course,  thus  far. 

"  Dea.  Erastus  Ellsworth  was  our  honored  lay-father.  His 
interest  in  us  was  unbounded  and  genuine.  He  looked  after 
our  physical  wants  and  comforts.  He  kept  the  ample  wood- 
shed well  stocked  with  'good  wood  which  he  sold  us  at  the 
lowest  cost  price,  encouraged  us  to  work  it  up  ourselves  for 
exercise,  and  furnished  our  rooms  with  Franklin  stoves,  by 
whose  open  fires  we  took  a  world  of  comfort  and  enjoyment. 
He  was  also  glad  to  have  us  choose  our  plats  in  the  garden 
back  of  the  Seminary  buildings  in  the  summer,  affording  us 
every  facility  for  bodily  exercise  in  that  line.  My  own  carrot 
bed  used  to  yield  me  $15  each  season,  besides  a  margin  for 
flowers.  Directly  back  of  the  Seminary  grounds  was  pas- 
ture, with  a  pleasant  footpath  extending  to  the  Connecticut. 


Ill 

Here  was  my  favorite  walk,  and  on  the  river's  bank  I  had  a 
secluded  spot  for  '  vocal  gymnastics.'  At  the  commence- 
ment of  my  third  year  there  was  a  general  stampede  of 
students  from  East  Windsor  to  other  institutions,  especially 
Andover.  Their  excuse  was  that  if  they  remained  they 
should  be  graduating  from  a  '  Decaying  Institution,'  and  this 
would  prove  an  incubus  on  their  future  prospects.  I,  for 
one,  could  not  so  grieve  the  heart  of  that  sainted  man,  Rev. 
Bennett  Tyler,  D.D.,  wrho  combined  with  his  massiveness 
of  intellect  and  theological  erudition,  the  simplicity  of  a  little 
child." 

Henry  M.  Bridgman,  '60,    Umgumbi  Station,  Southeast  Africa. 

"  My  poor,  short-lived  memory  will,  I  fear,  be  of  little  use  to 
the  well-iilled  Hartford  Seminary  of  to-day,  palpitating  with 
a  life  rooted  in  the  eternal,  the  essential  truths  of  Revelation, 
— a  life  not  less  scholarly  than  spiritual. 

"  My  short  residence  at  East  Windsor  Hill  was  in  the  last 
days  of  the  beloved  Tyler.  I  can  never  forget  the  drizzly 
day  we  went  out  and  sang  a  hymn  as  we  laid  him  in  his 
tomb.  My  days  at  East  Windsor  Hill  were  pleasant  days. 
The  students  were  equal  to  the  twelve  disciples  in  number. 
At  least  three  of  them  not  only  longed  to  meet  the  heathen 
but  did  meet  them — Robbins,  Pease,  and  Bridgman.  Another 
student  was  so  fully  in  accord  with  these  brothers  that  it  was 
thought  best  to  send  him  for  a  time  into  the  '  hill  country,' 
Westhampton.  Then  (that  he  might  be  fully  equipped  as  a 
good  soldier)  into  the  '  low  country '  about  Port  Hudson. 
And  he  took  not  only  his  church  but  his  prayer-meeting  with 
him.  Then,  to  further  perfect  him  for  his  future  work,  we 
allowed  him  to  labor  among  the  hoodlums  of  San  Francisco. 
After  a  few  years  we  felt  sure  he  would  answer  to  send  for- 
ward to  Honolulu, — the  outskirts  of  the  heathen  world.  As 
he  still  felt  himself  unfitted  for  the  heathen  (Simon  Pure)  we 
sent  him  to  Germany,  thinking  that  a  sojourn  in  the  land  of 
lager  beer  and  sound  scholarship,  with  the  writing  of  an 
excellent  book  on  '  The  History  of  the  Bible,'  would  thor- 


112 

o uglily  prepare  him  either  to  go  to  the  heathen  in  person  or 
incite  others,  provided  he  could  only  take  one  more  course  of 
study  at  Hartford  Seminary.  There  you  will  now  find  this 
brother,  doing  most  excellent  work,  as  Rev.  Prof.  Bissell. 

"  Here  is  my  confession.  I  spent  the  last  two  years  of  my 
theological  course  at  Union  Seminary,  New  York.  As  things 
werel  do  not  regret  it ;  but  as  things  are  at  Hartford,  could  I 
live  life  over  again,  and  I  could  pass  the  examination  for 
entrance  (which  is  doubtful)  I  would  enter  at  Hartford.  As 
it  is  not  given  to  men  to  live  their  lives  over  again,  except  in 
vain  regrets,  I  will  tell  you  what  I  plan  to  do.  '  In  place  of 
the  fathers  are  their  children.'  I  have  one  at  Amherst,  and 
propose  to  send  him  to  Hartford  Seminary,  provided  you  head 
him,  at  the  end  of  his  theological  course,  to  '  the  dark 
continent.' ': 

John  Otis  Barrows,  '63. 

I  got  my  beginning  at  East  Windsor.  It  was  a  right 
beginning.  If  any  of  us  failed  to  make  the  progress  we 
should  have  made  it  was  because  South  Windsor  was  too 
near  '  the  Hill.'  The  only  regret  I  have  is  that  occasionally 
I  gave  way  to  youthful  weakness  and  took  moonlight  walks 
to  South  Windsor,  while  Kal  and  Niphal,  Hiphil,  and  Hoph- 
al  were  waiting  to  rise  up  in  judgment  against  me  the  next 
morning.  So  long  as  it  was  dark,  or  even  under  the  light  of 
a  lamp,  the  full  form,  the  indefinable  hideousness  of  these 
grim  old  warriors  of  Jewish  origin  failed  to  make  a  due 
impression  upon  my  blunted  sensibilities ;  but  with  the  morn- 
ing light  there  was  no  strength  in  me.  An  encounter  was 
out  of  the  question.  Only  the  kind  consideration  of  my 
indulgent  teacher  kept  me  alive.  If  we  gave  less  attention 
than  we  ought  to  theology,  it  was  because  of  the  distracting 
influences  of  the  political  condition  of  the  country.  Civil 
war  with  all  its  terrors  came  upon  us.  There  was  a  student 
among  us  all  of  whose  friends  and  nearest  relatives  were  in 
the  Confederate  service.  Yet  Charles  C.  Painter  stood  firm. 
His  hands  first  caught  the  rope  when  a  flag  was  raised  on 
the  Seminary  building. 


113 

Edward  Trumbell  Hooker,  '63,   Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

Dear  Brothers  Hallock  and  Hawkes  : 

"  A  wanton  fancy  asks  if  the  names  of  all  the  alumni  have 
H  and  K  in  them  like  yours  and  mine.  Just  there  I  remem- 
ber my  father  meeting  at  anniversary  time  two  members  of 
the  Pastoral  Union,  whose  names  were  the  same,  and  greet- 
ing them  with  an  extended  hand  to  each  as  "  two  Hydes," 
received  the  unexpected,  quick  rejoinder  with  a  laugh,  "  Yes, 
and  the  horns  are  generally  not  far  off ! "  That  was  the  pattest 
pun  upon  his  name  that  Father  Hooker  ever  suffered.  But 
there  were  other  letters  of  the  alphabet  in  those  days.  Two 
graduates  once  came  at  anniversary  time  to  our  door  and 
introduced  each  other  to  the  stranger  who  happened  to  open 
it,  as  Mr.  Knight  and  Mr.  Day. 

"  I  could  begin  with  the  journey  in  184:4  of  the  new  '  Profes- 
sor of  Homiletics  and  Ecclesiastical  History,'  with  his  family, 
from  Bennington,  Vt.,  via  Springfield,  Mass.,  whence  we  took, 
before  the  days  of  the  railroad,  a  little  stern-wheel  steamboat, 
through  the  wonderful  Windsor  Locks,  to  the  old  Bissell 
Ferry  landing  under  the  pines  at  the  edge  of  the  beautiful 
meadows,  back  of  oiir  future  home.  There  was  music  and 
social  liveliness  with  sometimes  serious  intent,  when  the 
sisters  and  the  students  together  passed  the  summer  evenings, 
or  boated  on  the  smooth  Connecticut,  or  rode  to  Wadsworth 
Tower. 

"Then  I  see,  as  if  really  there  again,  that  ornamentally 
partitioned  garden  in  the  rear  of  the  Seminary,  whose  chief 
products  were  melons  for  the  tempted  gamins  of  the  town ; 
the  cruciform  arbor  above  the  frog-pool  and  terraces ;  the 
open  belfry  on  the  roof  of  the  Seminary,  frequent  resort  of 
lovers  of  that  charming  landscape.  I  could  itemize  the 
(wide)  pits,  where  loggerheads  were  literally  played,  as  I  have 
never  seen  elsewhere ;  the  veritable  chopping-block,  where, 
some  one  having  given  him  a  long  swallow-tailed  coat,  Bro. 
Goodwin's  classmates  abridged  said  tails  with  an  ax,  having 
seated  him  in  position,  vi  et  armis.  That  was  Goodwin  the 
violinist ;  and  that  is  a  true  story. 

15 


114 

"  There  was  Lee  of  fascinating  social  vein  ;  and  Bacon  full  of 
fun ;  Knight,  who  criticised  a  labored  sermon  of  Bacon's,  read 
with  firm  confidence  in  its  greatness,  with  the  sententious 
'  Humph,  pious  words  ! ' 

"  You  mention  first,  of  course,  among  historic  names,  Tyler. 
He  was  to  me  the  Seminary.  A  lad  still,  I  remember  his 
wrapt  prayers,  which  had  no  need  to  keep  always  shut  the 
trembling  eyelids,  that  showed  the  uplifted  eyes  as  in  the 
picture  of  John  Huss.  With  what  white-souled  vehemence 
he  preached  vital  truth  behind  that  desk  in  the  little  chapel, 
there  are  many  that  can  testify.  He  was  to  me  a  Boanerges ; 
but  a  gentle  one,  with  his  small  white  fist  (for  so  large  a  man) 
emphasizing  his  clear  sentences  upon  the  open  Bible. 

"  Josiah  Tyler,  now  long  in  Africa,  of  whom  there,  his 
father  said,  he  had  more  joy  than  at  home,  reached  the  climax 
of  description  of  a  certain  man's  soundness,  when  he  said  he 
was  orthodox,  tremendous  orthodox;  more  orthodox  than  father  /' 
'Language  could  no  farther  go.'  The  corner-stone  of  the 
Theological  Institute  of  Connecticut,  which  was  the  door- 
stone  of  Jonathan  Edward's  father's  home,  in  the  lower  town, 
wras  the  rock  in  the  sea,  on  which  the  cross  seemed  to  stand 
unmoved. 

"  I  must  not,  could  not,  forget  Dea.  EllswTorth,  the  modest 
but  tenacious  '  Professor  of  Brick  and  Mortar,'  as  he  styled 
himself,  who  placed  that  stone,  and  saw  that  everything  was 
built  afterwards  to  the  delight  of  a  thorough  mechanic's  heart, 
who  rejoiced  in  his  work  as  done  'upon  honor'  as  ' pro 
Ohristo  et  ecclesiae? " 

Albert  Warren  Clark,  '68,  Prague,  Austria. 

"  I  rejoice  in  the  prosperity  of  Hartford  Seminary  be- 
cause I  believe  she  is  doing  honest,  manly  work  on  abiding 
foundations.  In  these  times  we  need  the  clear,  unwavering 
tone  of  an  institution  not  troubled  about  theological  may-les, 
a  school  of  the  prophets  not  ashamed  of  the  time-worn,  battle- 
worn  banner  of  a  crucified  and  risen  Christ." 


115 

Winfield  Scott  Hawkes,  '68,  South  Hadley  Falls,  Mass. 

"  I  was  the  first  new  student  on  the  ground  at  Hartford. 
Harmon  of  '67  was  the  only  other  man  in  the  building  that 
night  Oct.  5,  1865.  The  next  morning  early  I  heard  a  voice 
ringing  through  the  passages  and  vacant  rooms  of  that  spa- 
cious old  Wads  worth  mansion,  singing 

" '  I'm  monarch  of  all  I  survey.' 

"  Whatever  I  am  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  I  owe  to 
Dr.  Yermilye,  more  than  to  any  one  man.  It  but  faintly 
expresses  my  feeling  to  say  that  I  revere  and  honor  his  mem- 
ory. If  any  student  left  his  teaching  without  being  able  to 
state  his  own  views  definitely,  whether  in  accord  with  Dr. 
Yermilye's  or  not,  it  was  solely  his  own  fault.  Dr.  Yermilye 
had  no  superiors  in  the  art  of  putting  things  clearly  and  log- 
ically. I  noticed  several  classes  pass  through  the  experience 
of  earnestly  antagonizing  his  teaching  in  the  junior  year,  but 
came  through  the  middle  year  accepting  it,  and  the  senior 
year  warm  and  loyal  admirers  of  the  man  and  his  system  of 
theology.  In  the  work  of  the  ministry  I  have  found  no  occa- 
sion to  change  my  faith.  t  What  I  was  taught  at  Hartford 
stands  the  test  of  real  life  and  work." 

Isaac  Curtis  Meserve,  '69,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

"  Dr.  Vermilye's  class-room  was  the  place  where  every- 
thing was  done  with  pains-taking  fidelity  and  in  reverent  love 
of  truth.  Discussions  sometimes  made  the '  sparks  fly  ;  but 
they  only  served  to  make  a  halo  for  this  kind-hearted  teacher. 
Dr.  Yermilye  did  not  ask  his  classes  to  accept  his  theology 
without  examination,  nor  did  he  pretend  that  his — or  any— 
system  of  Christian  doctrine  was,  or  could  be,  absolutely  com- 
plete and  inflexible.  He  stimulated  our  minds  to  enthusiastic 
work  ;  but  he  insisted  continually,  and  uncompromisingly,  that 
God's  Word  is  the  final  test  and  arbiter  of  all  belief.  It  is 
probable  that  all  his  students  became  as  fixed  as  himself  in 
that  axiom." 


116 

Martin  Kellogg  Pasco,  Brownton,  Minn. 

"  I  understand  there  is  a  good,  new,  first-class  gymnasium 
now.  Little  did  I  think  that  such  a  thing  would  grow  out  of 
the  little  seed  which  I  planted.  You  remember  the  old  barn 
back  of  the  Day  house.  I  conceived  the  idea  of  tearing  out 
the  inside  and  putting  in  those  few  pieces  of  apparatus.  I 
can  quote  without  blushing  the  well-known  sentence,  '  Quo- 
rum pars  magna  fui.'  Bliss,  and  Meserve,  and  Miles,  and 
Morris,  and  others  helped  and  did  as  much  as  I  did  ;  but  I 
shall  modestly  claim  the  credit  of  the  germ.  I  cherish  the 
memory  of  the  year  I  spent  at  Hartford." 

Edward  Sackett  Hume,  '75,  Bombay,  India. 

"  The  three  years  spent  at  Hartford  Theological  Seminary 
were  altogether  the  pleasantest  and  most  profitable  of  my 
whole  educational  course. 

"  It  would  be  impossible  for  instructors  to  take  a  deeper 
interest  in  the  students  under  their  care  than  was  taken  by 
our  professors  in  me  and  my  fellow-students ;  not  only  so,  but 
we  were  encouraged  to  live  on  such  terms  of  intimacy  with 
them  that  we  could  esteem  them  our  warmest  friends.  I 
regard  this  as  one  of  the  important  features  of  the  Hartford 
Seminary.  I  sincerely  hope  the  time  may  never  come  when 
the  professors  of  this  institution  will  cease  to  be  intimate  with 
the  students.  I  cannot  refrain  from  speaking  of  the  weekly 
conferences  which  gave  each  professor  an  opportunity  of  dis- 
coursing to  us  in  a  familiar  way  on  various  subjects.  Some  of 
these  were  very  profitable.  One  of  the  professors  used  to 
speak  often  on  the  importance  of  private  devotions,  and  in 
that  connection  used  an  expression  which  passed  among  us 
students  as  a  proverb,  '  The  morning  hour,  gentlemen,  the 
morning  hour.'  The  gesture  used  when  speaking  these  words 
is,  I  doubt  not,  remembered  by  many.  This  advice  came  with 
peculiar  fitness  from  one  whom  we  saw  pass  the  building  in 
which  we  lived  at  an  early  hour  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  on 
his  way  to  his  study,  where  many  an  hour,  as  we  all  knew, 
was  spent  in  prayer." 


117 

Greorge  Samuel  Pelton,  '77,  Omaha,  Neb. 

"  The  Theological  Institute  of  Connecticut  is  a  part  of  my 
life.  Born  within  rifle's  shot  of  the  old  buildings  at  East 
Windsor  Hill,  I  grew  alongside  of  it.  To  me,  a  poor  farmer's 
boy,  it  was  a  constant  inspiration.  The  daily  passing  of  the 
students,  the  Sunday  services,  the  preaching  by  the  professors, 
the  Sabbath-school — all  these  were  wrought  into  my  daily 
life ;  and  many  a  time  I  vowed  in  my  boyish  zeal  that,  God 
helping  me,  I  would  become  a  member  of  the  institution  and 
enjoy  all  the  delightful  benefits  that  my  imagination  pictured 
the  happy  denizens  of  the  school  as  enjoying. 

"  How  well  I  remember  Dr.  Tyler's  portly  form  and  kindly 
face ;  and  Dr.  Lawrence,  the  genial  Scotchman,  who  always 
prayed  '  that  the  Word  of  God  might  be  like  apples  of  gold 
in  pictures  of  silver '  to  those  who  listened.  How  well  I  re- 
member the  day  upon  which  its  removal  to  Hartford  was 
determined  ;  the  sadness  that  fell  on  the  community ;  the 
grief  of  one  of  its  firmest  and  truest  friends,  Dea.  Ellsworth, 
wrho  gave  of  his  time,  and  substance,  and  prayers  most  boun- 
tifully. Of  its  incalculable  worth  to  me  when  a  student 
in  the  institution  at  Hartford  I  can  never  say  enough.  It  was 
here  under  wise  men  that  my  theology  was  straightened  out 
for  all  time.  Dr.  Thompson,  Dr.  Childs,  Dr.  Eiddle,  and  Dr. 
Karr — to  all  these  I  owe  a  debt  of  everlasting  gratitude." 

Charles  Sylvester  Sanders,  '79,  Aintab,  Turkey. 

"  I  knew  the  Seminary  only  by  name  before  I  went  there ; 
did  not  even  know  that  it  was  an  old-school  Seminary. 
I  have  never  been  anything  but  thankful  that  I  went. 
I  was  there  in  the  '  ford  of  passage '  period  and  the  passing 
years  do  not  (in  my  own  mind  and  feelings)  carry  the  Semi- 
nary across  the  city.  The  course  of  instruction  is  in  my 
recollections  a  source  of  unmixed  satisfaction.  I  am  more 
and  more  convinced  that  our  Seminary  does  wisely  in  extend- 
ing exegesis  and  history  through  the  course  instead  of  concen- 
trating the  study  of  them,  the  one  in  the  earlier  and  the 
other  in  the  latter  part  of  the  curriculum. 


118 

"  The  religious  atmosphere  of  the  Seminary  is  a  thing  I 
remember  with  much  pleasure.  Last  of  all,  I  have  no 
need  of  changing  my  theological  opinions  ;  and  am  as  ready 
now  as  ever  to  subscribe  with  no  '  mental  reservations '  to  the 
creed  of  the  Seminary.  I  am  glad  that  signing  with  '  men- 
tal reservation  '  went  by  its  proper  name — dishonesty — in  our 
Seminary. 

"  I  accept  the  new  theology  heartily,  as  far  as  it  consists 
(as  defined  by  its  organs)  in  making  Christ  all  in  all  as 
supreme  in  our  theology  ;  but  it  annoys  me  to  hear  this  spoken 
of  as  a  new  discovery,  for  it  was  the  spirit  of  all  the  theolog- 
ical instruction,  or  other  instruction,  that  I  ever  received  in 
that  dreadful  old-school  Seminary,  the  Theological  Institute 
of  Connecticut." 

From  a  letter  to  Dr.  A.  C.  Thompson  we  are  permitted  to 
quote  the  following  : 

"  I  arrived  at  the  Seminary  six  weeks  after  the  opening  of 
the  course.  That  very  night  there  was  a  conference  at 
which  Prof.  Riddle  remarked,  or  rather  gave  us  to  understand, 
that  'broad  culture  does  not  mean  spread  out  thin;'  also 
some  very  pointed  suggestions  not  to  preach  until  we  were 
licensed.  The  more  experience  I  have  the.  more  I  admire  the 
attitude  of  our  professors  on  that  point.  *  Don't  grind  until 
you  get  something  into  your  hopper,'  even  now  remains  fast 
in  memory.  Yery  soon  we  learned  that  '  if  a  man  stuck  to 
his  aorists,  he  would  be  proof  against  more  than  half  the 
heresies  in  existence.'  We  have  tried  to  stick  faithfully,  not 
only  to  aorists,  but  also  to  all  parts  of  Greek  grammar. 
We  were  very  fortunate  in  having  an  opportunity  to  study 
Mr.  Moody  and  his  methods  for  a  month.  I  should  say  also 
very  fortunate  in  being  where  we  could  hear  so  great  a 
variety  of  preaching  as  in  Hartford.  I  do  not  sympathize 
with  any  institution,  or  individual,  that  goes  around  with  a 
chip  on  its,  or  his  shoulder,  and  spoiling  for  a  fight.  Hartford 
Seminary  is  singularly  free  from  this, — at  least,  Hartford  Sem- 
inary, as  I  knew  it.  While  private  opinions  were  freely 
expressed,  the  attitude  of  the  Seminary  strikes  me  as  alto- 


119 

gether  a  proper  attitude  for  a  seminary  to  take.  While  we 
were,  there,  there  was  the  utmost  freedom  in  investigation, 
but  no  mercy  toward  any  one  who  held  advanced  opinions, 
merely  for  the  sake  of  differing,  without  being  well  persuaded 
in  his  own  mind.  As  I  understand  the  spirit  of  the  Semi- 
nary it  was  well  expressed  in  a  remark  of  Dr.  Riddle's  one 
morning  in  our  Greek  class :  '  I  don't  care  whether  you  agree 
with  me  or  not,  but  if  you  don't  I'm  going  to  be  sure  that 
you  have  a  reason  for  disagreeing  with  me,  and  that  you  know 
why  you  disagree  with  me.' ' 

William  W.  Sleeper,  '81. 

"  The  training  now  given  in  Hartford  is  so  truly  evange- 
listic,— so  thoroughly  grounded  in  God's  Word,  and  yet  so 
broad  in  details, — that  none  of  the  recent  alumni,  at  least, 
can  venture  to  blame  his  Seminary,  if  he  find  himself  engaged 
in  other  than  missionary  work.  It  is  my  earnest  conviction 
that  Hartford's  new  departure  in  the  line  of  furnishing  a  prac- 
tical musical  education  is  an  important  and  praiseworthy  one. 
For  the  missionary,  the  drill  received  there  is  of  immense 
advantage  ;  and  it  cannot  be  much  less  for  any  minister.  Per- 
haps the  best  idea  I  received  from  the  Seminary  is,  that  faith- 
ful study  of  the  Inspired  Records  in  their  original  tongues  can 
best  furnish  the  Christian  minister  with  the  weapons  he  will 
need  in  his  warfare  against  sin." 

Paul  Ansel  Chadbourne,  '51. 

This  touching  evidence  of  tjie  dying  remembrance  of  Dr. 
Chadbourne  has  been  reserved  as  the  most  fitting  conclusion 
of  these  reminiscences : 

"  Dr.  Chadbourne's  brief  connection  with  this  Seminary 
was  long  enough  to  awaken  a  deep  desire  for  its  highest  pros- 
perity, and  lasting  affection  for  its  officers — Dr.  Tyler,  Dr. 
Gale,  and  your  own  Dr.  Thompson — whom  he  valued  among 
his  most  esteemed  friends. 

"  His  thoughts  turned  to  you  during  the  last  week  of  his 
life,  when  in  those  days  of  physical  suffering  and  exhaustion 


120 

lie  knew  that  God  had  come  to  take  him  to  Himself,  and  he 
remembered*  the  institutions  of  learning  in  which  he  had 
studied  and  taught.  • 

"  To  the  students  of  this  institution  he  sent  a  most  urgent 
appeal,  begging  them  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  Christ  in  its 
purity,  its  simplicity,  and  "its  fullness.  '  Tell  them,'  he  said, 
4  that  it  would  be  better  for  each  one  to  return  to  his  home, 
and  the  doors  of  the  Seminary  to  be  closed  forever,  than  for 
them  to  accept  and  teach  anything  but  the  truth  as  revealed 
in  God's  Word.' 

"  The  exact  words  of  that  remarkable  message  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  repeat.  It  was  feared  by  those  who  heard  these  utter- 
ances that  they  were  the  last  that  could  fall  from  his  lips  ;  but 
in  the  early  hours  of  the  morning,  following  a  night  of  alarm- 
ing prostration,  the  words,  '  Oh,  the  pain  and  agony  of  Cal- 
vary, and  all  for  one,'  were  twice  repeated  by  him  ;  the  tones 
of  his  voice  indicating  how  fully  he  realized  what  the  words  sig- 
nified ;  and  then,  in  sweetest  voice  of  earnest  persuasion,  he 
added,  '  but  this  sacrifice  was  for  all — for  every  one — whoso- 
ever will  may  come,  He  will  turn  none  empty  away.' 

"  He  spoke  of  himself  but  once,  when  he  said,  '  Can  it  be 
possible  that  I  am  soon  to  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb  ! '  and  lifting  up  his  hands  he  prayed  :  '  Oh,  my  God, 
give  me  strength  to  show  forth  Thy  glory.' ': 


APPENDIX. 


THE   PASTORAL  UNION. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Pastoral  Union  of  Connecticut 
was  held  at  Hosmer  Hall  on  Thursday,  May  8th,  at  2  p.  M. 
The  Union,  which  founded  and  controls  the  Seminary,  is 
composed  of  ministers  of  Connecticut  and  of  other  States, 
who  are  elected  to  membership  one  year  after  their  nomina- 
tion, and  includes  the  ministers  and  laymen,  who  are  annually 
chosen  by  the  body  to  constitute  its  Board  of  Trustees,  to 
whose  trust  the  care  and  government  of  the  institution  are 
committed.  By  these  means  the  Seminary  is  held  in  close 
and  vital  relation  with  the  churches,  to  whose  faith  and  will 
its  Trustees  and  Faculty  must  ever  be  subservient. 

The  doctrinal  basis  of  the  organization  coincides  with  the 
creeds  long  accepted  by  the  Congregational  churches  of  Newr 
England,  which  have  ever  been  believed  by  the  members  of 
this  Union  to  harmonize  with  the  teachings  of  the  Divine 
Word  ascertained  through  study.  Signature  to  these  "Arti- 
cles of  Agreement "  is  a  condition  of  membership  in  the  Pas- 
toral Union,  and  public  assent  to  them  is  annually  required 
by  every  member  of  the  Faculty  and  Board  of  Trustees.  Satis- 
factory testimonials  of  good  standing  in  the  membership  of  some 
Christian  church  of  one  of  the  evangelical  denominations,  are 
among  the  conditions  demanded  of  each  candidate  for  admis- 
sion to  the  Seminary  course.  To  defend  revealed  truth  against 
wrong  interpretations  of  Holy  Writ  and  rationalistic  theology, 
and  to  train  candidates  for  the  sacred  office  to  be  eminently 
Biblical  preachers  in  loving  devotion  to  the  Master,  was  and 
is  the  governing  purpose  of  the  Pastoral  Union  in  the  found- 
ing and  maintenance  of  the  Seminary. 

16 


122 

In  addition  to  the  routine  business  of  the  year  the  follow- 
ing matters  of  special  interest  are  worthy  of  record  : 

An  unusually  large  accession  was  made  to  the  membership 
from  the  ministry  of  other  States,  and  numerous  nominations 
were  reported  for  next  year's  election. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  report  at  the  next  meeting 
a  revision  of  the  constitution  and  laws. 

An  amendment  to  the  constitution  was  put  upon  its  passage 
providing  for  the  change  of  the  name  of  the  Seminary  from 
"  The  Theological  Institute  of  Connecticut  "  to  "  The  Hart- 
ford Theological  Seminary." 

The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  passed  : 

WHEREAS,  For  several  years  many  citizens  of  Hartford  have  freely 
opened  their  homes  and  their  houses  to  entertain  such  returning 
alumni,  and  this  year  their  kindness  has  been  taxed  to  an  unusual 
degree ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  do  hereby  express  our  obligations  to  the  many  fam- 
ilies of  this  city  who  have  exercised  an  enlarged  hospitality  in  enter- 
taining the  great  number  of  alumni  and  other  friends  who  have  been 
present  at  this  jubilee  meeting.  That  so  large  a  number  of  beautiful 
and  hospitable  homes  have  been  so  freely  placed  at  our  disposal,  merits 
and  receives  our  special  gratitude.  We  venture  to  hope  that  those  who 
have  entertained  are  not  without  some  recompense  in  enlarged  knowl- 
edge of  our  affairs,  our  prosperity,  our  history,  and  our  hope,  and  a  still 
deeper  interest  in  our  institution,  whose  chief  aim  is  the  enrichment  of 
the  Christian  ministry  in  our  own  and  other  lands,  but  which  also  aims 
to  bless  the  city  of  its  habitation  and  its  love. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  upon  our  records  and  be 
read  at  the  public  meeting  this  evening. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Hazen  presented  the  annual  statement  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  included  the  reports  of  the  Fac- 
ulty and  instructors,  the  librarians  and  the  examining  com- 
mittee given  below,  and  also  the  following  announcements  : 

Rev.  E.  B.  Webb,  D.D.,  of  Boston,  succeeded  to  the 
Presidency  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  made  vacant  by  the 
resignation  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Taylor,  D.D. 

The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  passed  by  the 
board : 


123 

WHEREAS,  The  Rev.  J.  Taylor,  D.D.,  after  thirteen  years  of  faithful  ser- 
vice, has  this  day  resigned  his  office  as  President  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees : 

Resolved,  We  hereby  record  our  cordial  appreciation  of  the  dignity 
and  untiring  fidelity  with  which  he  has  presided  over  the  meetings  of 
the  board,  and  served  the  Seminary  in  its  varying  emergencies. 

Rev.  Prof.  Hartranft  having  resigned  the  office  of  Libra- 
rian, a  warm  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  for  the  arduous 
and  efficient  services  he  has  rendered  the  institution  in  this 
position.  Rev.  Ernest  C.  Richardson  was  elected  his  suc- 
cessor, and  the  office  of  Assistant  Librarian,  which  he  has 
so  acceptably  filled,  was  abolished. 

Waldo  S.  Pratt,  A.M.,  Instructor  in  Music  and  Yoice  Build- 
ing, was  elected  Associate  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  Music 
and  Hymnology. 

The  proposal  of  Eldridge  Torrey,  in  which  Mrs.  Miriam 
M.  Thompson,  Miss  Martha  C.  Burgess,  John  N.  Denison, 
and  Hon.  William  Hyde  joined,  to  donate  five  thousand  dol- 
lars for  the  pecuniary  foundation  of  a  Lectureship  on  Foreign 
Missions,,  was  thankfully  accepted,  and  the  professorship  into 
which  the  donors  hoped  the  lectureship  would  grow,  is  to 
be  designated  when  established  "  The  Professorship  of  Evan- 
gelistic  Theology." 

The  purchase  of  the  valuable  building  site  situated  on 
Broad  street,  between  the  Seminary  property  and  Farming- 
ton  avenue,  was  announced. 

Efforts  have  been  inaugurated  for  the  establishment  of  a 
museum,  together  with  a  collection  of  such  books,  charts, 
maps,  etc.,  as  will  afford  the  students  an  opportunity  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  researches  of  archaeologists,  and 
investigations  in  the  various  departments  of  science.  This  is 
felt  to  be  an  important  adjunct  to  their  course  of  study,  in 
order  that  they  may  be  able  to  utilize  the  results  of  such 
investigations,  in  applying  and  defending  the  truth.  For  the 
furtherance  of  this  project  there  have  been  found  those  who 
are  willing  to  help  with  a  liberal  hand. 


124 

KEPOKT  OF  THE   FACULTY 

FOR   THE   YEAR   ENDING   MAY   8,  1884. 

To  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Tlieological  Institute  of  Connecticut: 
BRETHREN  :  The  year  now  closing  with  us,  while  marked 
by  no  events  of  extraordinary  importance,  has  borne  witness 
throughout  to  the  continued  favor  of  Almighty  God.  It  can 
still  be  said,  as  it  wras  said  one  year  ago,  that  "the  number 
of  students  has  been  larger  than  ever  before  in  the  history  of 
the  Seminary." 

When  the  present  Senior  class  entered,  the  whole  number 
of  students  in  the  Seminary  wTas  twenty-eight.  It  is  now 
forty-eight;  or,  including  the  advanced  class,  fifty-four. 
This  remarkable  growth,  to  whatever  causes  it  may  be 
ascribed,  shows  no  signs  as  yet  of  being  other  than  healthy 
and  permanent.  It  remains  to  be  seen  what  suitable  response 
the  friends  of  the  institution  will  make  to  the  heavier  tasks 
and  greater  responsibilities  which  Divine  Providence  has  thus 
laid  upon  it. 

The  advanced  class,  made  up,  with  a  single  exception,  of 
our  own  graduates,  have  pursued  with  fidelity,  and  for  the 
most  part,  with  gratifying  progress,  their  studies  according  to 
the  prescribed  scheme.  The  presence  among  us  of  these 
young  men  of  more  mature  powers,  of  settled  religious  con- 
victions, and  thoroughly  loyal  to  the  higher  aims  of  the  institu- 
tion, has  no  doubt  been  of  service  in  developing  still  further 
that  harmony  of  feeling  and  marked  esprit  de  corps  which  of 
late  years  have  especially  characterized  the  Plartford  Semi- 
nary. The  ordinary  routine  of  recitations  and  other  exercises 
of  the  undergraduate  classes  has  been  less  interrupted  during 
the  present  year  than  is  often  the  case ;  while  the  regularity 
and  punctuality  of  attendance,  on  the  part  of  the  great 
majority  of  students,  have  been  worthy  of  special  commenda- 
tion. It  is  believed  that  the  results  of  much  faithful  and 
conscientious  work  will  not  fail  to  appear  in  the  written  and 
oral  examinations  which  conclude  the  studies  of  the  year. 


125 

The  health  of  the  students,  generally,  during  the  term  has 
been  excellent.  No  case  of  prolonged  illness  has  occurred 
where  such  illness  was  contracted  here.  This  is  due,  under 
God,  largely  to  regular  habits,  the  favorable  location  and 
construction  of  the  seminary  building,  wholesome  food,  and, 
especially,  to  the  uniform  practice  of  systematic  physical 
exercise  in  the  gymnasium,  under  the  direction  of  a  compe- 
tent instructor.  Attention  is  renewedly  called,  in  this  con- 
nection, to  the  accompanying  report  of  Mr.  E.  A.  Chase,  who, 
as  last  year,  has  most  satisfactorily  conducted  the  exercises 
in  this  department.  His  table  of  comparative  statistics, 
showing  results  in  special  cases,  will  awaken  particular 
interest. 

While  referring  you  to  the  report  of  the  Librarian  for  a 
more  complete  statement  of  the  condition  and  needs  of  the 
library,  it  may  be  said  here  that  the  increase  of  books  during 
the  last  twelve  months,  including  some  hundreds  gained  by 
exchange,  has  been  upwards  of  four  thousand,  making  the 
present  total  number  somewhat  over  thirty-eight  thousand. 
The  most  notable  acquisition  has  been  the  "  Beck  collection  " 
of  works  relating  to  Luther,  which  is  doubtless  unsurpassed 
in  this  country.  The  most  obvious  and  pressing  needs  of  the 
library  at  present  are,  first,  a  considerable  enlargement  in  the 
direction  of  modern  books;  and,  second,  more  ample  quarters 
where  these  rich  stores  of  information,  now  scattered  here 
and  there  in  various  rooms,  may  become  more  readily  acces- 
sible and  be  more  conveniently  used.  The  work  of  cata- 
loguing, classifying,  etc.,  has,  with  the  help  of  students,  gone 
steadily  forward.  There  has  also  been  a  noticeable  and 
gratifying  increase  in  the  use  made  of  the  library  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Seminary.  Until  the  present  year  the  small  fund 
devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books  especially  required  by  pro- 
fessors in  their  several  departments,  and  to  be  retained  in 
their  rooms  as  long  as  needed,  amounting  to  something  less 
than  two  hundred  dollars  yearly,  has  not  been  drawn  upon. 
It  supplies  a  need  which  had  come  to  be  deeply  felt. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Faculty,  held  April  25th,  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  were  uiuininioitsly  passed  : 


126 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  Trustees  the  appointment  ot  Mr. 
Ernest  C.  Richardson  as  Librarian. 

Resolved,  That  the  office  of  Assistant  Librarian  be  abolished. 

Resolved,  That  the  Librarian  be  required  to  subscribe  to  the  creed  of 
the  Seminary,  and  to  make  the  usual  annual  affirmation. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  that  the  following  addition  be  made  to 
the  article  in  the  ." Laws  of  the  Institute,"  headed  "Library,"  page  29, 
after  the  words  "  Prudential  Committee":  The  Faculty  shall  annually 
appoint  one  of  their  number  to  act  as  an  advisory  committee,  who  shall 
be  the  final  authority  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  selection, 
exchange,  purchase,  and  classification  of  books  and  periodicals.  This 
committee  shall  also  present  an  annual  report  to  the  Faculty,  to  be 
incorporated  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Faculty  to  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. The  Librarian  shall  present  his  annual  report  directly  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees. 

The  report  of  Mr.  Waldo  S.  Pratt,  instructor  in  Music  and 
Yoice-Building,  is  herewith  submitted.  It  will  be  seen  how 
deservedly  prominent  a  feature  of  our  curriculum  this  depart- 
ment has  become.  The  statistical  summary  of  the  number  of 
hours  given  to  individual  training  in  voice-building,  general 
exercises  in  singing,  the  regular  and  special  rehearsals  of  the 
Choral  Union,  including  three  public  performances,  lectures 
to  the  several  classes  on  the  elements  of  music  and  hymnody, 
besides  those  given  outside  the  Seminary,  makes  a  record  of 
unusual  diligence,  and  it  may  be  added,  of  marked  faithfulness 
and  success.  Your  attention  is  especially  called  to  that  feature 
of  the  report  which  sets  forth  the  difficulty  of  properly  com- 
bining elocutionary  work  with  the  musical.  The  Faculty  are 
in  full  accord  with  the  sentiment  there  expressed,  and  ear- 
nestly recommend  the  employment,  as  soon  as  practicable,  of 
a  competent  teacher  of  elocution  who  shall  give  a  sufficient 
portion  of  his  time  to  the  thorough  instruction  of  our  students 
in  this  branch. 

We  beg  leave,  also,  to  lay  before  you  a  resolution  passed 
by  the  Faculty  at  a  meeting  held  April  7th,  to  the  effect  that 
it  being  desirable,  in  our  judgment,  that  Mr.  Pratt's  position 
in  this  institution  be  more  distinctly  defined  and  rendered 
more  permanent,  we  respectfully  recommend  his  appointment 
as  Associate  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  Music  and  Hymnology. 


127 

This  Seminary,  which  has  the  honor  of  being  represented 
by  one  of  our  colleagues  on  the  committee  of  twenty-five  des- 
ignated by  the  National  Council  held  in  St.  Louis  in  1880  to 
prepare  a  creed  and  catechism  for  the  denomination,  has  had 
at  least  the  equal  honor  of  dissenting  from  the  final  conclu- 
sions reached  by  the  majority  of  the  committee,  the  action  of 
Dr.  Karr  in  this  respect  having  been  approved  by  a  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  Faculty. 

We  are  about  to  celebrate  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the 
existence  and  work  of  this  institution.  It  is  an  occasion 
peculiarly  fitted  to  awaken  reflection  and  stimulate  hope.  If 
there  were  good  and  sufficient  reasons  for  the  founding  of 
this  Seminary  in  the  midst  of  the  New  England  churches  of 
fifty  years  ago,  there  is  certainly  no  less  reason  for  continu- 
ing it  and  giving  it  the  heartiest  cooperation  in  the  New  Eng- 
land of  to-day.  Indeed,  it  seems  to  many  that,  whatever 
good  it  may  have  accomplished  in  the  past,  it  has  plainly,  in 
the  providence  of  God,  come  to  its  present  prominence  among 
institutions  of  this  kind  u  for  such  a  time  as  this."  In  the 
midst  of  wide-spread  defection  it  abates  nothing  of  its  loyalty 
to  the  accredited  historical  standards  of  the  denomination,  or 
of  its  fidelity  in  teaching  the  undiminished,  unadulterated 
Word  of  God. 

May  it  not  be  confidently  anticipated  that  those  called 
upon  to  support  the  institution  will  see  that  in  the  generosity 
of  its  endowment,  and  the  facilities  it  shall  thus  be  enabled  to 
offer  for  the  best  and  most  rewarding  service,  it  does  not  fall 
short  of  the  Providential  demands  now  made  upon  it? 
In  behalf  of  the  Faculty, 

EDWIN  C.  BISSELL. 
HAETFOKD,  May  1,  1884. 


128 


REPORT   OF   THE   INSTRUCTOR  IN   MUSIC   AND 
VOICE-BUILDING. 

Mr.  Waldo  S.  Pratt,  the  Instructor  in  Music  and  Voice- 
Building,  presented  a  statistical  summary  of  his  work,  from 
which  we  take  simply  the  several  headings  under  which  the 
matter  was  grouped.  These  headings  are,  (1)  Individual  Train- 
ing of  the  Juniors  in  Voice-Building,  including  the  elements 
of  both  Singing  and  Speaking,  with  Exercises ;  (2)  General 
Exercises  for  all  the  Students  together  in  Singing  Tunes, 
Chants,  and  Anthems,  including  Constant  Practice  in  Sight- 
Reading  ;  (3)  Lectures  to  an  Optional  Class  of  Juniors  upon 
the  Rudiments  of  Music ;  (4)  Lectures  to  all  the  Classes  upon 
leading  Hymn-Writers  and  Important  Topics  in  Hymnology ; 

(5)  Various  Efforts  for  the  furtherance  of  Practical  Church 
Music  through  Lectures  and  Rehearsals  outside  the  Seminary  ; 

(6)  The  Management  of  the   Hosmer   Hall   Choral   Union, 
whose  chorus  of  about  180  singers  is  drawn  from  the  whole 
city  of  Hartford,  and  which,   during  the  winter,  held  31  full 
and  39  partial  rehearsals,  and  gave  three  public  performances, 
namely,  Nov.  10, 1883,  appropriate  music  at  the  Luther  Festi- 
val; Jan. 25,  1884,  representative  German  and  English  cathedral 
music  ;  and  May  7,  1884,  Handel's  oratorio,  "  The  Messiah." 
The  Choral  Union  has  grown  with  surprising  rapidity  in  every 
way,  until  its  management  has  become  almost  the  largest  single 
item  in  Mr.  Pratt's  work.     The  success  thus  far  attained  was 
finely  shown  in  the  rendering  of  "  The   Messiah  "  in  Anni- 
versary week.     It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  noble  oratorio  is  rarely 
given  with  more  genuine  and  intelligent  sentiment,  and  even, 
in  many  passages,   with  greater  technical  perfection,  than  at 
this  concert     The  expressive  and  impressive  powers  of  good 
sacred   music   were   abundantly   illustrated.      The   crowded 
audience  was  not  only  delighted,  but  uplifted  by  the  enthu- 
siastic fervor  of  the  performers. 

We  take  occasion  here  to  note  the  principal  purposes  in 
view  in  the  musical  department  of  the  Seminary,  when  it 
shall  be  separated,  as  it  should  be,  from  the  elocutionary 


129 

department.  Mr.  Pratt  proposes  (1)  to  give  every  student 
thorough  training  in  the  elements  of  music,  so  far  as  they  are 
required  in  sight-reading  and  in  tune  criticism  ;  (2)  to  give 
abundant  practice  in  singing  church  music  of  every  kind  ; 
(3)  to  lecture  upon  the  management  of  music  as  a  branch  of 
pastoral  care ;  (4)  to  lecture  upon  historical  and  practical 
hymnology  ;  (5)  to  foster  intelligent  interest  in  church  music 
in  the  churches  by  lectures  or  other  means  ;  and  (6),  connected 
with  all  these  lines  of  effort,  to  prosecute  the  work  of  the 
Choral  Union  in  studying  and  performing  sacred  music  of  the 
most  elaborate  type.  Mr.  Pratt  appears  to  have  made  a  suc- 
cessful beginning  in  the  development  of  all  these  divisions  of 
this  unique  department.  To  give  it  the  position  of  recognized 
importance  in  the  Theological  curriculum  which  it  so  richly 
deserves,  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at  their  annual  meeting, 
elected  Mr.  Pratt  Associate  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  Music 
and  Hymnology. 


REPORT     OF     THE     INSTRUCTOR     IN     THE 
GYMNASIUM. 

The  work  at  the  Gymnasium  consists  of  an  exercise  on  the 
chest-weights  by  all  the  students  ;  of  the  following-out  by  each 
man  of  the  particular  exercises  prescribed  for  him  by  Dr. 
Sargent  of  the  Harvard  University  Gymnasium  ;  and  of  such 
further  general  and  particular  exercises  as  the  Instructor  may 
be  able  to  suggest. 

Regular  attendance  at  the  Gymnasium  is  expected  of  the 
students  four  days  during  the  week.  The  average  attendance 
during  the  cold  months  has  been  something  over  50  per  cent; 
of  all  the  students  ;  largest  attendance  at  any  one  time,  67 
per  cent. ;  average  attendance  of  the  Junior  class,  81  per  cent. 

All  the  students  but  two  have  used  the  Gymnasium  to  some 
extent.  It  is  perhaps  worthy  of  notice  that  all  the  advanced 
class,  live  in  number,  have  been  regular  attendants. 

In  general  it  may  be  said  that  the  value  of  the  Gymnasium 
is  becoming  more  apparent  every  year,  and  is  more  and  more 

17 


130 

appreciated  by  the  students.  It  promotes  the  general  good 
health  of  the  students,  by  giving  a  better  circulation  to  the 
blood,  by  increasing  the  appetite  and  helping  the  digestion, 
and,  too,  promotes  sleep  by  drawing  the  blood  away  from  the 
head  into  the  muscles  exercised. 

In  particular,  the  value  of  the  Gymnasium  is  seen  in  the 
deepening  and  expanding  of  the  chest,  and  in  the  strengthen- 
ing of  the  side  and  abdominal  muscles,  which  sustain  the  voice. 
To  this  "  particular "  aim  the  Instructor  has  endeavored  to 
direct  special  attention. 

EDWARD  A.  CHASE. 


EEPOET  OF  THE  LIBRARIAN. 

To  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Institute  of  Con- 
necticut : 

The  appended  annual  report  of  Mr.  Richardson  is  so  full, 
as  to  results  attained  and  suggestions  to  be  followed,  that  I 
will  not  travel  over  the  same  ground,  but  ask  you  to  approve 
and  support  his  measures. 

The  same  generous  hand  which  has  hitherto  contributed  to 
the  increase  of  the  library,  has  given  it  another  admirable 
impulse  in  the  past  year.  The  need  for  modern  books  is  really 
pressing.  A  larger  and  fire-proof  building  is  still  a  want. 
And  organized  assistance  for  cataloguing  and  collation  is  also 
in  the  future.  All  these  will  doubtless  come. 

The  unprecedented  growth  ol  the  library ;  its  need  of  con- 
stant supervision ;  the  fact  that  a  thoroughly  competent  suc- 
cessor has  sprung  up  out  of  our  own  institution  ; — all  these 
considerations  lead  me  to  return  the  office  which  you  have 
entrusted  to  me  for  the  last  six  years.  I  hereby  resign  the 
post  of  librarian. 

I  must  take  this  occasion  to  thank  you  for  your  cordial 
support  in  all  the  elementary  plans,  according  to  which  the 
library  has  been  modeled.  Especially  must  I  thank  Mr. 
Newton  Case,  whose  profound  interest  and  far-sighted  enthu- 


131 

siasm  have  led  him  to  institute  such  beginnings,  which  it  is  in 
his  heart  to  follow  out  to  still  nobler  proportions.  May  God 
spare  his  life  to  see  the  fruit  of  his  own  planting. 

From  four  years  of  associated  work  with  Mr.  Ernest  C. 
Richardson,  I  regard  him  as  an  exceptionally  competent  libra- 
rian, and  heartily  recommend  him  as  my  successor. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

C.  D.  HARTRANFT. 


REPORT  OF  THE  ASSISTANT  LIBRARIAN. 

To  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Institute  of  Con- 
necticut : 

The  library  of  the  Theological  Institute  contained,  May  1st, 
38,256  bound  volumes  and  about  10,000  pamphlets,  exclusive 
of  duplicates.  Of  these  4,081  volumes  and  3,000  pamphlets 
were  added  during  the  past  year.  The  sources  of  accession 
were :  By  purchase,  volumes  2,601,  pamphlets  2,400 ;  by 
gift,  volumes  349,  pamphlets  300  ;  by  binding  of  periodicals, 
volumes  236  ;  transferred  from  music-room  59. 

Among  the  more  important  accessions  are  a  complete  set 
of  the  "  Chronicles  and  Memorials  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land," a  collection  of  2,400  theological  tracts  of  the  16th, 
17th,  and  18th  centuries,  and  the  Beck  collection  of  "  Luther- 
ana."  This  latter  collection,  of  which  only  a  part  has  ar- 
rived, is,  probably,  by  far  the  best  collection  of  works  on  the 
subject  in  this  country,  and  the  collector  implies  in  the  preface 
of  his  catalogue  that  it  is  surpassed  by  few  even  in  Germany. 
That  a  few  numbers  had  been  sold  before  our  offer  arrived  is 
to  be  regretted,  but  the  irreplaceable  loss  is  small.  The  New 
York  Nation  devoted  a  half  column  editorial  to  the  descrip- 
tion of  this  collection  last  winter,  and  hoped  that  some 
wealthy  American  would  be  found  to  secure  it  to  this  coun- 
try. The  generosity  of  Mr.  Case  in  securing  not  only  this 
but  many  other  things,  which  to  let  pass  for  the  present  would 
be  to  lose  entirely,  adds  to  the  debt  of  gratitude  which  not 
only  the  friends  of  the  Seminary,  but  of  American  scholar- 
ship in  general,  already  owe  to  him. 


132 

Work  of  the  Year. 

As  usual,  all  work  has  been  done  by  student  help.  This 
usually  inefficient  and  always  unsatisfactory  help,  has  been 
more  efficient  than  it  has  ever  been  found  to  be  before,  during 
an  eight  years'  experience.  This  has  been  partly  from  the 
practice  begun  three  years  ago  of  selecting  men  from  the 
Junior  class  and  pledging  them  to  a  reasonable  amount  of 
work  during  the  whole  course,  partly  to  the  very  good  mate- 
rial for  selection,  and  partly  because  the  organization  has  been 
so  subdivided  that  each  man  has  a  definite,  limited  portion  of 
work  for  which  he  is  responsible,  and  which  he  can  learn 
passably  well  in  the  limited  time  he  devotes  to  it. 

In  the  present  crowded  and  unfinished  state  of  things,  how- 
ever, this  is  the  best  method.  Whether  it  will  be  the  best 
when  circumstances  admit  of  a  more  exact  method  and  a 
more  perfect  organization  will  be  a  question. 

The  work  done  includes  the  cataloguing  of  books  mentioned 
in  last  year's  report  as  uncatalogued,  also  the  entire  disposal 
of  the  books  received  this  year,  except  a  few  of  the  latest 
accessions,  the  completion  of  the  biography  catalogue  with 
the  exception  of  the  books  in  Room  3,  the  recataloguing  of 
the  Richter  books,  a  considerable  progress  made  on  the  cards 
for  a  shelf  catalogue,  improvement  in  the  disposition  and  cat- 
aloguing of  bound  periodicals,  the  exchanging  of  nearly  1,000 
duplicates  and  the  arranging  of  all  our  pamphlets,  which 
were  almost  entirely  untouched,  with  the  cataloguing  of  a 
large  portion  of  them.  It  is  hoped  that  the  next  report  will 
show  the  work  in  pamphlets  finished  so  that  the  exact  figures 
can  be  given  as  of  the  books.  The  above  figures  are  only 
approximate  for  pamphlets. 

Use   of  Library. 

There  has  been  a  marked  increase  in  the  use  of  reference 
books  in  the  library-room  ;  though  the  cramped  quarters  make 
it  very  inconvenient  for  many  to  study  at  the  same  time,  it 
has  nevertheless  been  very  much  used,  and  a  class  of  books 
consulted  which  would  surprise  those  who  are  not  accustomed 


133 

to  unrestricted  access  to  books.  It  is  due  largely  to  the  stress 
laid  by  the  professors  upon  the  necessity  of  the  verification  of 
facts  and  of  studying  from  the  sources ;  but  the  increase  of 
the  library  makes  it  possible  for  them,  in  a  few  departments, 
at  least,  to  refer  the  students  to  the  books  needed  for  consul- 
tation. The  result  is  a  considerable  use  by  students  of  a  class 
of  books  seldom  used  in  most  other  seminaries,  except  by 
professors ;  and  a  consequent  training  in  the  use  of  books 
which  cannot  fail  to  be  in  a  high  degree  useful.  The  year 
shows  a  visible  increase  in  the  use  of  such  books. 

There  have  been,  during  the  year,  101  users  who  have 
drawn  out  books  to  the  number  of  1,345,  an  increase  of  21 
users  and  364  books  drawn. 

Reading- Room. 

This  was  reorganized  last  year.  A  few  details  have  been 
added  or  improved.  By  a  readjustment  of  prices  the  cost  of 
periodicals  has  been  slightly  reduced.  The  transfer  to  the 
reading-room  of  a  number  of  things  not  hitherto  treated  as 
periodicals,  and  the  few  additions,  makes  the  total  number 
taken  203  instead  of  177,  as  reported  last  year.  Of  these,  at 
least  190  are  "  periodicals,"  in  the  proper  sense.  . 

Library- Room. 

This  has  been  increased  by  the  addition  of  a  fourth  room 
outside,  and  more  shelving  in  the  basement.  Some  additional 
room  has  been  gained  by  piling  books  on  the  tops  of  the  cases. 
It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  usefulness  of  the  library  might  be 
nearly  doubled  if  not  cramped  for  room. 

Not  one-half  of  the  library  can  be  classified  under  the 
present  circumstances,  although  cards  are  being  prepared  and 
arrangements  made  so  that  it  can  be  done  at  once  when  there 
is  room. 

In  General. 

The  gift  of  the  Misses  Vermilye  of  Prof.  Yermilye's 
MS.  sermons  and  theological  lectures,  suggests  the  desirabil- 
ity of  making  an  effort  to  get  the  MSS.  of  other  of  the  Semi- 


134 

nary  professors.  It  is  to  be  desired  that  if  any  such  are 
known  to  exist,  or  any  MSS.  of  well-known  preachers,  their 
deposit  in  the  Seminary  library  should  be  secured  if  possible. 

(2.)  It  is  proposed  also  to  make  some  effort  to  increase  our 
pamphlets,  by  persuading  people  to  place  them  in  this  library 
rather  than  destroy  them.  It  is  hoped  that  members  of  the 
Pastoral  Union  will  cooperate  in  a  matter  where  with  so  little 
trouble  and  cost,  so  considerable  an  advantage  is  gained  to 
the  library. 

(3.)  A  study  of  nearly  175  theological  libraries  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  Canada  strengthens  what  was  said  in  the  report 
of  last  year,  that  no  American  theological  library  begins  to 
fill  the  place  of  anything  more  than  a  relatively  good  one. 

Prof.  Curtiss  of  Chicago,  at  the  dedication  of  their  new 
library  building,  well  says  that  "  Next  to  importance  to  a 
good  faculty  for  an  institution  is  a  well-equipped  library." 

It  is  difficult  to  see  how  any  institution  is  to  rise  above 
mediocrity,  so  long  as  its  professors  are  compelled  to  a  medi- 
ocrity of  scholarship  through  lack  of  tools.  It  can  certainly 
never  be  true  that  we  can  "  get  just  as  good  an  education  in 
America  as  in  Germany,"  until  our  resources  for  books  are 
greatly  increased. 

This  library  holds  its  place,  easily,  as  relatively  one  of  the 
best  theological  libraries,  and  a  very  few  years  may  put  it 
well  above  the  line  of  absolute  mediocrity. 

There  is  great  reason  for  thankfulness  in  the  present  facili- 
ties which  it  offers,  and  as  it  increases  in  efficiency,  there  is 
equal  reason  to  hope  for  a  corresponding  increase  in  use- 
ful u  ess. 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON, 

Assistant  Librarian. 


135 


REPORT  OF  THE  EXAMINING  COMMITTEE. 

7b  tf/i?  Trustees  and  Pastoral  Union  of  the  Theological  Institute  of 
Connecticut: 

Of  the  eight  members  of  the  Examining  Committee 
appointed  by  your  respective  bodies,  five  reported  for  duty. 

Forty-six  of  the  fifty-four  students  named  in  the  Catalogue 
either  appeared  before  them,  or  were  represented  by  their 
papers. 

Eight  absentees — four  from  the  Junior,  three  from  the 
Middle,  and  one  from  the  Advanced  class — were  accounted 
for  by  the  Faculty. 

The  Committee  were  in  attendance  upon  the  Oral  Examin- 
ations on  Monday  and  Tuesday,  during  which  time  the  Senior 
class  were  examined  in  their  presence  by  the  Professors  and 
by  the  Committee,  in  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  Church  Polity,  as 
were  the  Middle  Class  in  Theology  and  History,  and  the  Junior 
class  in  Hebrew. 

Papers  prepared  by  all  the  classes  in  the  written  examina- 
tions held  by  each  Professor  during  the  preceding  week  were 
submitted  for  the  inspection  of  the  committee.  Specimens  of 
the  work  prosecuted  by  the  Advanced  class,  under  assignment 
of  the  Professors  in  whose  departments  the  members  severally 
elected  to  study,  were  also  placed  in  our  hands.  From  personal 
investigation  at  both  of  these  sources  of  information  the 
Committee  draw  their  report  of  the  respective  departments  of 
instruction,  which  they  beg  herewith  to  submit. 

Systematic  Theology. 

The  oral  examination  of  the  Middle  class  revealed  a  maturity 
of  thought  and  a  grasp  of  the  doctrines  highly  commendable 
at  this  stage  of  the  course.  A  pleasing  independence  of  one 
another  was  manifested.  The  individuality  of  each  student 
was  marked.  While  encouraged  to  dig  about  the  foundations 
of  the  accepted  theology,  they  adopted  substantially,  and  with 
but  slight  variations,  the  creed  of  the  Seminary  as  their  own. 
Their  familiarity  with  the  points  of  current  discussion  con- 


136 

cerning  the  challenged  positions  of  the  historic  faith,  seems 
rather  to  have  anchored  than  swerved  them  from  those 
positions.  They  will  preach  Christ,  the  only  Saviour  of  lost 
men.  They  stated  the  doctrines  of  the  Atonement  and  the 
Trinity  clearly  and  with  discrimination.  The  evident  con- 
scientious fidelity  of  the  instructor  has  been  met  on  the  part 
of  the  class  by  honest  study  and  intelligent  conclusions,  limited 
always  by  the  word  of  God.  The  written  examination  of  the 
Junior  class,  embracing  the  General  Introduction  and  Defini- 
tions, the  Theistic  Arguments,  the  Evidences  of  Christianity, 
and  the  Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  disclosed  the  special 
care  and  training  bestowed  at  these  fundamental  points. 

New  Testament  Exegesis. 

The  examinations  under  Prof.  Riddle  indicate  work  of  the 
highest  excellence.  The  papers  of  the  Junior,  and  Middle 
classes,  and  especially  the  oral  exhibit  by  the  Seniors,  were 
characterized  by  a  thoroughness  and  fidelity  to  the  principles 
of  interpretation,  which  were  as  refreshing  as  they  were  re- 
assuring. 

With  special  satisfaction  we  note  the  training  of  the  students 
to  manly  and  independent  methods  of  investigation,  and  to 
the  habit  of  forming  and  defending  their  own  conclusions  by 
intelligent  acquaintance  with  the  fundamental  facts.  This 
feature  of  exhaustive  investigation,  accompanied  by  strict 
loyalty  to  a  genuine  criticism,  based  upon  original  manuscript 
authority,  cannot  fail  to  develop  champions  of  the  truth, — 
workmen  needing  not  to  be  ashamed. 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  Professor  seems  to  have  stimulated 
the  students  to  faithful  work,  not  only  along  the  lines  pursued 
in  the  class-room,  but  in  other  directions,  so  that  many  of  the 
Seniors  have  read  the  entire  New  Testament  critically,  while 
all  have  thus  examined  the  larger  part  of  it.  Foundations 
for  future  acquisitions  have  been  laid  in  well-formed  habits 
and  methods  which  will  bear  fruit  in  years  to  come. 

We  rejoice  to*  see  the  invincible,  grammatical  bulwarks  of 
sound  doctrine  so  thoroughly  built  up  in  the  minds  of  the  out- 
going classes,  believing  that  the  real  defense  of  the  faith  is 


137 

more  and  more  to  be  found  in  the  ipsissima  verba  of  the  ori- 
ginal text. 

We  congratulate  the  Trustees  of  this  Institute  upon  the 
substantial  and  most  efficient  work  which  is  constantly  being 
done  in  this  department. 

Old  Testament  Languages  and  Literature. 

Of  this  department  your  committee  have  only  good  things 
to  report.  Written  and  oral  examinations  have  alike  borne 
testimony  to  faithful  effort  and  enthusiastic  interest  on  the 
part  of  professors  and  students. 

The  Junior  class  were  closely  examined  for  an  hour  and  a 
half  on  Old  Testament  Introduction,  Hebrew  Grammar,  and 
Exegesis,  and  they  sustained  themselves  in  a  manner  highly 
creditable  to  Prof.  Bissell,  and  that  gave  bright  promise  of 
future  attainment. 

The  papers  of  the  Middle  class  covered  a  great  deal  of 
ground,  and  showed  a  high  average  of  attainment  and  remark- 
able grasp  of  the  questions  under  consideration.  Especial 
praise  should  be  given  for  the  thorough  manner  in  which  the 
class  have  mastered  the  verbal  forms,  and  for  the  facility 
which  they  have  acquired  in  translation. 

We  should,  of  course,  look  to  the  entire  three  years'  work 
of  the  Senior  class  in  order  to  learn  just  what  the  Seminary 
is  able  to  do  in  this  department.  And  we  call  special  attention 
to  the  following  facts :  The  Senior  class  have  read  eleven 
whole  books  and  parts  of  five  others  in  the  class-room,  Yet, 
so  interested  have  they  become  in  the  language,  that  seven 
of  the  class  have  pursued  their  studies  in  the  remaining  books. 
One  member  has  completed  the  reading  of  the  entire  thirty- 
nine  books  of  the  Old  Testament ;  another  of  thirty-one  whole 
books  and  parts  of  three  others ;  a  third  of  thirty-one  books 
and  parts  of  two  more;  a  fourth  of  twenty-seven  whole  books 
and  parts  of  four,  and  a  fifth  of  sixteen  entire  books  with 
parts  of  four  others.  Moreover,  one  member  of  the  class  has 
prepared  a  complete  vocabulary  of  the  First  Book  of  Samuel, 
which,  together  with  the  Hebrew  text,  he  has  printed  under 
the  direction  of  Prof.  Bissell,  and  with  the  cooperation  of 

18 


138 

Professor  Brown,  of  Newton  Theological  Seminary.  The 
Professors  have  thus  secured  a  valuable  text-book  for  their  own 
use  in  their  respective  institutions  which  will  aid  and  encour- 
age beginners  in  the  study  of  the  Hebrew.  That  thoroughness 
has  also  characterized  the  studies  of  this  class,  appeared  further 
in  the  satisfactory  oral  examination  which  Prof.  Thompson 
conducted  with  so  great  vigor  and  enthusiasm,  and  which 
brought  out  the  fact  that  the  class  had  made  solid  attainments 
in  all  the  directions  in  which  Hebrew  studies  are  pursued  in 
our  seminaries.  The  History  of  Exegesis,  and  the  modern 
criticism  of  the  Old  Testament  literature,  have  also  very  evi- 
dently received  careful  attention.  These  facts  afford  most 
gratifying  evidence  that  our  Seminary  is  bearing  a  most  cred- 
(itable  part  in  the  very  successful  efforts  of  American  scholar- 
ship to  revive  the  interest  in  and  advance  the  study  of  the 
languages  and  literature  of  the  Old-Testament  Scriptures. 

We  may  well  congratulate  the  Seminary  and  its  friends  that 
Prof.  Thompson  has  been  spared  to  see  such  results  from  his 
life-long  efforts  in  this  department,  and  that  his  work  is  being 
taken  up  by  so  able  and  enthusiastic  a  teacher  as  Prof.  Bissell. 

Practical   Theology. 

Besides  the  examination  papers  in  this  department,  sermons 
and  sermon  analyses  were  submitted  to  the  committee.  The 
theory  and  practice  of  sermon  preparation  seem  to  have  been 
thoroughly  taught  and  the  matter  of  delivery  not 'neglected. 
The  sermons  of  the  Middle  class  are  evangelical,  earnest,  prac- 
tical. In  Church  Polity  the  Seniors  leave  the  Seminary  with 
definite  ideas  of  Congregationalism. 

We  commend  both  the  breadth  and  thoroughness  of  this 
department,  and  congratulate  the  Institution  that  students 
may  here  learn  the  art  of  preaching  and  become  grounded  in 
a  Christian  polity  wThich  includes  Christian  doctrine. 

Department  of  Music. 

Your  committee  have  gone  carefully  over  the  examination 
papers  covering  a  review  of  the  lectures  on  Hymnody.  We 


139 

find  that  the  students  know  hvmns,   their  origin,   structure, 

i/  O 

history,  faults,  uses  and  comparative  merits. 

Since  from  the  character  of  this  department  no  detailed  ex- 
amination can  be  given,  your  committee  have  sought  in  other 
ways  to  ascertain  its  worth  and  efficiency. 

We  find  it  more  than  fulfilling  its  promise  of  usefulness  and 
exerting  a  good  influence  in  the  Seminary  and  for  the 
Seminary. 

Historical  Theology. 

From  this  department  there  were  submitted  :  First,  papers 
prepared  by  the  Junior  class  in  the  written  examination  on  the 
"  History  of  Culture."  The  principles  and  methods  of  their 
study  were  amply  illustrated  in  their  treatment  of  represent- 
ative passages  from  the  Old  and  New  Testaments.  The 
archaeological  allusions  of  each  passage  were  first  of  all  clas- 
sified under  their  respective  subjects.  Then  each  specific  refer- 
ence, after  being  clearly  indicated  by  the  Hebrew  or  Greek 
word  in  which  it  was  contained,  was  fully  described  or  explained. 
The  work  in  each  paper  was  strictly  conformed  to  the  same 
method  and  was  of  very  uniform  excellence. 

Secondly,  there  were  submitted  written  discussions  in 
Biblical  Theology  by  the  Senior  class  of  an  aeon  of  Old 
Testament  History,  and  of  the  Second  Epistle  to  the  Thessa- 
lonians.  The  papers  were  marked  by  the  clear  apprehension  of 
the  province,  value,  and  relations  of  the  historical  develop- 
ment of  revelation,  of  the  science  of  which  they  treated.  The 
discernment  and  delineation  of  the  way-marks  of  the  great 
Scriptural  truths  in  the  passages  under  review  were  most  in- 
teresting, and  the  development  of  the  various  stages  of  their 
progress  therein  indicated  evince  a  mastery  of  the  principles 
of  this  science,  whose  great  and  growing  importance  is  so 
strongly  emphasized  in  this  department. 

Thirdly,  the  most  conspicuous  feature  of  the  instruction  in 
Church  History  developed  by  the  oral  examination  was  the 
emphasis  laid  upon  the  correct  method  of  study.  The  principal 
effort  seems  to  be  directed  more  toward  indicating  the  sources, 
outlay,  terminology,  relations,  and  auxiliaries  of  historical  study 


140 

for  the  student's  independent  use,  than  to  the  immediate  im- 
partation  of  historical  facts  and  information.  The  definite 
characteristics  and  boundaries  of  each  of  the  great  periods, 
however,  are  carefully  denoted,  and  minute  study  of  the  more 
important  epochs  is  required. 

To  place  the  student  at  the  fountain-heads  of  historical 
knowledge,  which  is  one  of  the  great  aims  of  this  department, 
every  member  of  the  class  is  given  a  branch  of  study  to  work 
up  from  its  first  sources  during  the  year.  The  value  of  the 
methods  pursued  in  this  department  cannot  but  be  of  perma- 
nent value  to  the  student  and  can  hardly  fail  to  be  increasingly 
appreciated  as  he  grows  in  years  and  in  ability  to  use  the 
equipment  here  provided. 

The  Advanced  Class. 

The  work  required  of  and  accomplished  by  the  Advanced 
class  calls  for  special  mention.  While  the  branches  of  study 
pursued  by  them  are  optional,  study  is  required.  Specific 
work  is  assigned,  supervised,  and  examined  by  the  Professor 
in  whose  department  the  student  elects  to  pursue  an  advanced 
course  of  study.  Four  of  the  class  attended  the  regular  exer- 
cises of  the  Junior  class  in  New  Testament  Exegesis  for  six 
months  in  order  to  review  the  application  of  Textual  Criticism, 
with  special  reference  to  questions  of  harmony.  The  result 
was  gratifying  not  only  as  it  appeared  in  the  work  of  this 
class,  but  as  seen  in  the  Juniors  also,  who  were  so  stimulated 
to  special  study  that  a  majority  of  them  were  prompted  to 
construct  for  themselves  a  harmony  of  the  Four  Gospels. 

Two  members  of  the  Advanced  class  pursued  special  studies 
in  Exegetical  Theology.  One  devoted  himself  to  the  Epistle 
to  the  Ephesians,  and  presented  work,  in  written  form,  which 
was  highly  satisfactory  as  to  method  and  results.  The  other 
collated  the  text  of  the  Four  Gospels  from  the  critical  texts 
and  the  revised  version,  adding  to  his  notes  on  the  various 
reading,  a  compact  "  Apparatus  Criticus  "  covering  the  lead- 
ing manuscript  and  other  authorities.  The  results  are  so  exact 
that  it  is  the  design  of  the  Professor  to  incorporate  them  in  a 


141 

work  soon  to  be  published,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  prove  help- 
ful in  the  critical  study  of  the  Greek  Testament. 

Three  Advanced  students  read  Hebrew,  giving  special 
attention  to  grammatical  forms.  One  of  them,  also,  made  a 
special  study  of  parallel  passages  in  the  books  of  Chronicles 
and  Kings,  and  prepared  a  harmony  of  these  passages,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  for  valuable  critical  work  in  the  future. 

Two  members  of  this  class  studied  under  the  direction  of 
the  Professor  of  Systematic  Theology.  The  results  of  their 
toil  w^ere  presented  to  the  Committee  in  two  elaborate  and 
noteworthy  monographs,  one  upon  "  Evolution  and  Christian- 
ity "  and  the  other  on  "  The  Witness  of  Christ's  Assump- 
tions to  His  Divinity." 

To  the  two  students  who  elected  Historical  Study  there  were 
assigned  respectively  the  periods  of  Gregory  X  and  Edward 
YI  to  work  up  from  the  sources.  The  exhibits  given  of  the 
mere  collation  of  these  sources  available  in  the  library,  which 
they  made  for  the  development  of  their  subjects,  indicated  an 
expenditure  of  time,  toil,  and  scholarly  skill  and  patience  of 
which  "  Advanced  "  students  only  are  capable. 

In  conclusion,  there  are  two  characteristics  which  all  the 
departments  of  our  institution  seem  to  share. 

First.  The  students  are  trained  to  seek  the  original  sources 
of  information  on  all  subjects.  They  are  taught  where  to 
find  and  how  to  use  these  sources,  and  are  made  conversant 
also  with  the  history  and  literature  of  each  department  of 
study.  This  not  only  gives  them  a  very  noticeable  independ- 
ence of  judgment,  but,  in  connection  with  the  large  and  grow- 
ing collection  of  such  sources  of  knowledge  in  the  library, 
this  training  in  the  very  processes  of  authorship,  and  the  culti- 
vation of  the  scholarly  taste  and  spirit  it  necessarily  involves, 
promise  rich  results  at  no  distant  day. 

The  second  characteristic  is  that  interdependence  of  the 
several  departments  upon  each  other,  which  seems  to  be  culti- 
vated by  each  of  them  without  betraying  evidence  of  the 
interference  of  any.  To  the  independence  inculcated,  this 
feature  of  instruction  adds  the  equally-essential  elements  of 


142 

intellectual  breadth  and  equipoise,  which  together  go  to  make 
the  true  scholar.  Through  all,  too,  there  breathes  that  spiritu- 
ality which  marks  the  men  who  go  hence  not  only  as  scholars, 
but  as  Christian  scholars.  It  is  our  belief  that  their  Alma 
Mater  may  expect  to  hear  of  these  sons  of  hers  in  the  church 
and  the  world  within  the  first  decade  of  her  second  half 
century. 

In  behalf  of  the  Examining  Committee, 

GRAHAM  TAYLOE, 

Secretary. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  GRADUATING  CLASS. 

BY  PROFESSOR  M.  B.  RIDDLE,  D.D. 

On  behalf  of  your  instructors  I  am  permitted  to  give  some 
last  words  of  counsel.  They  will  not  be  new  to  you,  my 
pupils.  Whatever  be  the  field  of  labor  to  which  each  of  you 
may  go,  and  you  are  to  be  widely  scattered,  always  and  every- 
where be  hopeful,  be  faithful.  Be  hopeful,  for  Christ  is  Head 
over  all  things;  be  faithful,  for  He  bids  it  because  He  deserves 
it. 

I.  Sundry  theological  commotions,  may  seem  to  be  dis- 
couraging, but  our  Master  tells  us  of  conflict,  and  yet  asks  us 
to  be  hopeful.  Amid  the  deplorable  tendencies  of  this  age, 
I  find  one  strong  ground  for  hope.  The  increased  attention 
paid  to  exegetical  theology,  however  crude  some  of  its  present 
results  may  seem,  ought  to  lead  the  people  of  God  to  abun- 
dant blessing.  Every  great  revival  in  the  study  of  God's 
Word  has  been  followed  by  an  advance  in  positive  theologi- 
cal statement  as  well  as  by  a  revival  of  religion.  For  these 
two  are  not  contrary  to  each  other.  Indeed,  the  evil  tenden- 
cies of  the  age  will,  I  trust,  drive  Christian  teachers  and 
preachers  to  the  more  constant  use  of  the  proper  weapons  in 
defending  the  truth.  By  exegetical  and  historical  methods 
we  must  defend  what  we  account  the  teaching  from  God ;  by 
these  methods  we  believe  we  can  defend  it;  in  these  methods 
we  have  sought  to  train  you.  More  than  this,  your  instructors. 


143 

one  and  all,  believe  that  the  truths  emphasized,  in  our  instruc- 
tion and  in  our  creed  alike,  are  the  very  truths  which  give 
abundant  ground  of  hope  in  ministerial  service.  Our  task 
has  not  been  to  preserve  intact  some  fossiliferous  deposits  of 
theology,  but  to  show  you  how  to  find  God  Jn  His  written 
Word.  Yet  we  make  no  antithesis  between  theology  and 
faith ;  we  do  not  find  it  necessary  "  to  divide  in  order  to 
distinguish."  We  glory  in  teaching  theology,  the  science 
above  all  sciences,  as  the  necessary  intellectual  basis  of  that 
art  above  all  arts,  the  art  of  Christian  living.  Thank  God 
for  the  testimony,  uttered  again  ajid  again,  never  more  touch- 
ingly  than  in  the  devotional  meeting  this  morning,  that  our 
students  do  not  find  their  seminary  years  chilling  to  their 
piety.  By  the  same  token,  we  believe  that  the  type  of 
theology  taught  you  here  is  adapted  to  make  you  hopeful  in 
your  future  labors.  We  have  striven  to  make  God  upper- 
most in  your  thoughts  ;  to  bring  you  to  a  heart-recognition  of 
Christ  the  King  as  well  as  the  Priest  of  the  New  Dispensa- 
tion ;  to  emphasize  your  dependence  on  the  Holy  Spirit  He 
has  purchased  and  promised.  These  are  the  divine  facts 
which  make  preaching  a  success.  Be  hopeful,  then,  because 
you  do  not  go  on  this  warfare  at  your  own  charges. 

Morbid  views  are  often  the  result  of  a  diseased  body. 
Your  physical  training  here  should  combine  with  your  doc- 
trinal training  to  make  you  cheerful.  The  happiest  men  I 
have  ever  known  were  healthy  Calvinists.  (It  is  true  enough 
that  the  men  most  uncomfortable  to  themselves  and  others 
are  often  bilious  or  dyspeptic  Calvinists.) 

The  last  book  we  read  together  wa.s  the  Apocalypse.  We 
found  in  it,  not  a  chronological  puzzle,  not  an  armory  for  pessi- 
mists, but  a  majestic  vision  of  the  power  and  glory  of  the 
Lamb  that  hath  been  slain.  Conflict  is  abundantly  foreshad- 
owed, but  the  anthem  that  opens  the  great  vision,  that  song 
beyond  any  Hallelujah  chorus  of  earth,  praises  our  atoning 
Lord  as  the  Unfolder  of  God's  providence,  the  Ruler  over  the 
centuries,  the  foreordained  Victor  in  the  weary  conflict.  He 
that  hath  overcome  to  open  the  book  shall  overcome  on  the 
earth.  The  Gospel  is  not  set  to  a  minor  key.  Be  strong  in 


144 

that  hope  which  maketh  not  ashamed,  because  the  love  of 
God  hath  been  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  through  the  Holy 
Ghost  which  was  given  unto  us. 

II.  Be  faithful  as  well  as  hopeful.  The  two  injunctions 
are  inseparably.  Gratitude  to  Christ  is  the  immediate  re- 
sponse of  a  renewed  heart,  and  gratitude  to  a  person  naturally 
takes  the  form  of  fidelity.  Not  as  of  law,  but  of  grace,  are 
we  to  fulfill  our  trust.  This  motive  the  Holy  Spirit  uses,  and 
in  the  ministry  its  application  is  manifold  and  indispensable. 
Faithfulness  to  Christ  will  guard  you  against  two  great  mis- 
takes in  your  aims  and  methods  :  first,  seeking  to  please  your- 
self; second,  seeking  to  please  others  rather  than  your  Mas- 
ter. The  two  are  allied,  or  rather  are  polar  errors,  the  result 
of  selfishness. 

1.  And  by  pleasing  yourself,  I  mean  far  more  than  a  life 
of  so-called  pleasure.  Faithfulness  to  Christ  demands  that 
you  leave  room  for  Providence  in  your  plans ;  that  you  do 
not  obstinately  attempt  the  impossible,  because  you  are  the 
victim  of  ideals,  cherished  more  as  your  own  than  for  Christ's 
sake.  A  faithful  man  will  not  be  forever  mourning  over  the 
lack  of  opportunities,  or  attributing  to  his  surroundings  the 
failures  for  which  he  is  himself  responsible.  Learn  of  your 
age  and  circumstances  as  well  as  from  God's  Word  what 
Christ  would  have  you  do.  Then  do  your  best  in  that  very 
work.  The  admonition  is  given  in  all  business  circles,  in  all 
places  of  trust,  and  it  is  all  the  more  practical  when  Christ  is 
the  Master  to  whom  we  are  responsible.  It  is  unfaithful,  to 
be  forever  scheming  to  get  away  from  present  work,  to  shirk 
present  duty,  because  we  think  our  gifts  fit  us  for  something 
else.  I  am  hopeful  of  you  in  regard  to  this  ;  for  as  a  class 
you  have  been  faithful,  diligently  attending  to  your  seminary 
work  before  everything  else.  Anything  else  here  is  unfaith- 
fulness, as  you  well  know. 

We  earnestly  desire  that  you  keep  up  your  studies  ;  for  you 
it  would  be  blame-worthy  to  forget  your  Hebrew  and  Greek, 
however  it  may  be  in  the  case  of  those  not  trained  as  you 
have  been.  But  I  warn  you  that  scholarship  which  neglects 
the  immediate  duty  of  your  office  is  only  a  kind  of  self- 


145 

pleasing.  Scholarship  for  its  own  sake,  miserly  or  pedantic 
massing  of  knowledge  that  yields  nothing  for  Christ's  service, 
or  that  is  uttered  only  for  display,  may  be  as  selfish  as  the 
sordid  heaping  up  of  wealth,  or  the  barbaric  splendor  of  our 
vulgarest  millionaires.  For  Christ's  sake  be  exact  scholars ; 
but  sacrifice  your  noblest  ideal  of  study,  if  Providence  calls 
you  to  do  some  hard  work  that  interferes  with  it.  To  do 
otherwise  may  seem  a  noble  kind  of  selfishness,  but  selfishness 
it  is.  When  you  have  learned  to  submit,  to  do  faithfully,  pa- 
tiently, duty  that  is  most  distasteful  to  you,  God  may  permit 
you  to  do  the  work  you  like. 

2.  On  the  other  hand,  faithfulness  demands  that  you  should 
seek  to  please  Christ  rather  than  to  please  others.  What 
does  not  please  others  is  not  necessarily  pleasing  to  Christ. 
The  matter  is  usually  one  of  perspective,  or  subordination. 
Yet  there  will  come  times  when  you  find  direct  antagonism 
between  the  two.  If  you  do  not  learn  to  regard  all  your  duty 
as  primarily  due  to  Christ,  you  cannot  get  the  sweet  habitude 
of  fai tli fulness.  Only  this  can  glorify  your  whole  life.  Only 
with  the  skill  of  constant  practice  in  following  Christ  can  you 
stand  firm  in  the  few  great  emergencies  when  tempted  to  go 
with  the  multitude  against  your  conscience. 

Indeed,  faithfulness  is  true  success,  though  it  does  not  always 
seem  to  succeed.  As  many  of  you  are  sons  of  ministers,  you 
probably  know  that  in  our  calling  also  unfaithful  men  sometimes 
get  the  credit  belonging  to  others;  schemers  after  influence  carry 
their  e'nds  at  the  expense  of  their  proper  duty;  pulpit  reputation 
seems  strangely  incommensurate  with  fidelity.  These  things 
test  our  faithfulness,  and  attest  the  imperfect  sanctification  of 
the  Church.  But  God's  verdict  is  the  final  one.  He  succeeds 
to  whom  the  Master  says :  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant." 

Yet,  my  dear  pupils,  God  can  say  this  in  this  world  by  His 
providence.  He  rules  the  world,  and  does  make  signal  dem- 
onstration here  that  faithfulness  is  success.  Often  we  must 
wait  long  to  see  it,  but  marked  illustrations  are  usually  at 
hand.  We  have  one  here  to-night.  It  is  fitting  that  I  should 
close  these  remarks,  and  with  them  the  public  utterances  of 

19 


146 

this  glad  semi-centenary,  by  pointing  to  that  illustration  in 
unequivocal  language.  The  present  dean  of  the  Faculty  began 
his  services  in  the  seminary  fifty  years  ago,  with  a  mind  capable 
of  great  achievements,  with  scholarly  hope  and  ambitions. 
At  the  end  of  the  half  century,  God  be  thanked,  he  is  still 
here  with  us.  But  his  early  ambitions  for  himself  have 
not  been  fulfilled.  With  all  his  gifts  he  has  been  neither 
author,  nor  orator,  nor  ecclesiastical  leader.  Why  ?  Because 
faithfulness  marked  out  an  apparently  humbler  path  of 
duty  for  him.  And  to-night  I  can  say  that  I  know  of 
few  live^  so  successful ;  certainly  of  none  more  faithful. 
In  a  trying  and  unpopular  position,  he  believed  that 
God  had  marked  out  his  path  for  him,  and  he  gave 
up  all  that  interfered  with  the  nearest  duty.  Whatever 
the  seminary  needed  that  he  could  give,  he  gave  ;  his  time,  his 
care,  his  purse,  his  instructions  in  any  and  every  department, 
his  tact,  his  courtesy,  his  prayers — for  the  seminary  and  its 
pupils — all  for  Christ's  sake.  And  with  him  side  by  side  there 
stood  for  many  a  year,  through  doubt  and  trial  and  overwork, 
another  faithful  soul,  well  known  to  the  older  Alumni, 
strangely  taken  away  before  him. 

We  hope  that  there  is  an  expanding  future  of  usefulness 
before  this  institution ;  but  grow  as  it  may,  as  the  last  saying 
of  this  glad  anniversary  as  well  as  the  fit  enforcement  of  my 
counsel  to  you,  my  pupils,  I  may  express  my  conviction  that 
there  has  been,  under  God,  no  more  potent  factor  in  its  success 
up  to  the  present  hour  than  the  faithfulness  of  our  beloved 
Prof.  Thompson,  whose  life  says  to  you  far  better  than  can  any 
words  of  mine  :  Be  hopeful,  be  faithful. 


V :...,,. 

lii 

• 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below, 
or  on  the  date  to  which  renewed.  Renewals  only: 

Tel.  No.  642-3405 

Renewals  may  be  made  4  days  priod  to  date  due. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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Berkeley 


mm  1 


I  :, 


